That week felt like it was on 1.5x speed. Not sure if that's good or bad.
My word for the week was too-good-to-be-true.
Life has been going oddly well, which makes me wonder what's around the corner. Regardless, I'm enjoying it. Also, we got a new cat. Her name is Mylo!
How was your week?
Top learnings
1. Bias toward critical thinking is undervalued
Everyone loves someone with a bias toward action. They get shit done and seem to move the ball forward. But are they doing what matters and will bring long-term value?
On the other hand, there is the person who thinks deeply about problems and solves the right ones in the right way. They are perceived as being unproductive. Yet, in the end (the long run), they may bring more tangible value than the person who is a to-do list junkie.
Don't jump right into solving. Instead, turn that beautiful brain on and let it do its job.
2. The best way to do something is to do it
I promise I won't contradict the above learning. Too many people have searched how to start a podcast and never actually started a podcast.
The key is to realize when thinking or research is getting in the way of moving forward. For example, I spent the last year thinking about a podcast. Then one day, I just started it.
The best way to do anything is to do it.
3. We love to avoid reality, and we are the easiest person to fool
It amazes me at what length our minds will go to lie to us. I experienced this first hand when I tried–unsuccessfully–for three years to become a rapper/producer.
I found extravagant ways to keep my pursuit alive while knowing it wouldn't work all along. In hindsight, I see how much biases, ego, and pride blurred my vision.
This quote sums it up: "The first principle is that you must not fool yourself—and you are the easiest person to fool." – Richard Feynman.
4. Optimizing is good up to a point (law of diminishing returns)
I'm an optimizing junkie. I could spend the rest of my life mindlessly tweaking and improving my life. Hopefully, I won't.
Optimizing is good, up to a certain point. For example, having a budget is an acceptable way to optimize and improve your finances. But scrutinizing every purchase will drive you fucking insane.
Optimize until you begin receiving incremental value and then maintain the optimizations.
Notable resources
- {Podcast} Andrew Huberman: The Science of Small Changes from The Knowledge Project by Shane Parrish
- {Article} cf #38: second-order content thinking (and why you need it) by Fio
The one question on my mind
What do I believe now that I will look back on in 5 years and disagree with?
(A prerequisite question to answer is "What do I currently believe?")
Thanks for reading this week's lookback.
Now it's your turn to share:
- What did you learn this week?
- What did you read, listen to, or watch that educated, entertained, or inspired you?
- What question is on your mind?
Have a wicked weekend!
🧠 + ❤️ // JO