Curiosity Chronicle

Compounding is a magical force for growth in your life—one Albert Einstein is rumored to have referred to as the "Eighth Wonder of the World"—but it can also be your worst enemy.The stacking of negatives has the potential to knock you out of the game if you aren't careful.3 steps to avoid the dark side of compounding: (1) Create space, (2) Evaluate the new situation, and (3) Execute.

Question: What would you attempt if you knew you couldn’t fail?Framework: The Red Team

The 2 pillars of strong relationships: High expectations and high support.High expectations are the belief that the other person is capable of excellence, that their potential is only limited by their own views. High support is the ability and willingness to provide the love, support, and engagement to help the person meet those high expectations. Both are necessary to achieve a strong relationship.

Question: What are three examples of times you've accomplished something you didn't think was possible?Framework: Circles of Success

Last week, I went on a whirlwind event tour of India. 2,000+ attendees at 6 events in 6 days across 3 different cities.I met and spent time with hundreds of people, doing my best to provide perspectives and guidance on the questions they asked. I believe that the questions are universal, so in today’s piece, I’d like to share the insights and perspectives that I offered in response to them.6 insights from 6 days: (1) Discipline is the ultimate act of service to your future self, (2) Lifelong learners will always find a way to thrive, (3) Information is abundant, action is scarce, (4) Celebrate every win (no matter how tiny), (5) You have to fight back against the Centipede’s Dilemma, and (6) Dive through the cracks.

Question: If someone observed your actions for a week, what would they say your priorities are?Framework: The Power Down Ritual

I'm not a morning person (at least not naturally). For most of my childhood, I'd hit snooze a million times and my mom would have to drag me out of bed to make it to school on time. In my college years, the morning hours were forced upon me by pre-class baseball practices and lifts.At first, I struggled mightily with the adjustment. I knew that if I wanted to perform, I had to figure out a system: I had to become a morning person. Somewhere along the way, it clicked, and for the last 10 years, I've started most mornings with a 4am alarm.This piece shares 5 actionable strategies that I have used to turn myself from a night owl into a morning person.

Question: How can I build my recovery into my days?Framework: The Sinatra Test

Last week, I had the opportunity to meet up for a drink with Gary Vaynerchuk, the entrepreneur, creator, and investor perhaps best known as Gary V.We were chatting about what enables this longevity, when he casually dropped a single, incredibly powerful line: "You've gotta love the dirt."The dirt is where you start. It's where you're built. It's where you find your initial success. We all start in the dirt on the journey to success, but few are willing to remain there. Few fall in love with the dirt. The day you leave the dirt is the day the clock starts ticking down on your run.

Question: What is the tiny first step that will move you closer to your big, scary goal?Framework: Kintsugi is a Japanese art form that involves the repair of broken pottery with a special lacquer mixed with powdered precious metals (like gold, silver, or platinum).

I just co-hosted a retreat for a small group of very successful entrepreneurs in Cabo, Mexico. The explicit goal of the retreat was to help work through a big challenge facing each attendee.My goal is to “bring you into the room” so that you can feel the impact of the experience in your own careers and lives.With that in mind, this piece shares my 9 non-obvious learnings from the retreat.

Question: How am I creating the situation that I don’t want?Framework: The Bricklayer Mentality

Because of the gigantic shift in my life over the last three years, I'm often asked about how to take the metaphorical leap of faith. To answer that question for anyone who has asked, and anyone who might be thinking about it, here's my definitive player's guide to the leap of faith.The leap of faith you want to take in life is so scary because of the size of the change. It is a 100 foot gap from where you are to where you want to be, with nothingness in between. The 100 foot gap is the problem to be solved.3 steps to shorten the gap into something manageable: (1) Gather information, (2) Create evidence, and (3) Address the fear.

Question: If you knew you would die in 10 years, what would you do today?Framework: Use the Difficulty

If you've been reading my work for a while, you know that I'm a big proponent of the simple, boring basics. I don't have any e-books to sell you. I just want to see you make progress. This piece shares my favorite—very simple, very boring, and very effective—strategy for making dramatic progress in any arena: The 30-for-30 Approach.With whatever you're trying to improve at, do it for 30 minutes per day for 30 straight days. It works because the 30 minutes is low intimidation, the 30 days is a meaningful commitment, and the 900 minutes of accumulated effort creates surprisingly significant results.

Question: When was the last time you allowed yourself to celebrate good enough?Framework: The Click Test

"There's a guy in my head, and all he wants to do is lay in bed all day long, smoke pot, and watch old movies and cartoons. My life is a series of stratagems, to avoid, and outwit that guy." - Anthony BourdainWe all have "that guy" somewhere in our head. It may look a bit different from person to person, but the general archetype is universal. You can never silence the voice, you simply learn to resist.Everything meaningful in life is on the other side of hearing that voice loud and clear and acting in spite of it. Today, and all days, I hope that you outwit "that guy" in your head.

Question: What are you going to be celebrating one year from today?Framework: The Pygmalion Effect

Last Friday in London, my friend Ali Abdaal and I hosted a live event at the London School of Economics in front of a sold out crowd of 500 people. We covered 10 ideas that changed our lives, on areas ranging from careers to relationships and more.The 10 ideas we shared: (1) There's no such thing as a loser who wakes up at 5am and works out, (2) Energy is not finite, (3) No one has it all figured out, (4) Direction over destination, (5) Who not how, (6) Increase your luck surface area, (7) Default to trust, (8) The waiting room is always full, (9) The good old days are happening right now, and (10) Time is your most precious asset.

Question: How would the best version of myself show up in this situation?Framework: Winner's Game vs. Loser's Game

Humans are notoriously good at delivering sound, rational perspectives to others, but notoriously bad at delivering those same sound, rational perspectives to themselves. This psychological phenomenon is known as Solomon's Paradox.Solomon's Paradox is named after King Solomon, the King of Israel who was known for his divine wisdom and also for his complete inability to live by it.To escape Solomon's Paradox: (1) Create space to remove yourself from the emotional reaction, and (2) Zoom out to force new perspective.

Question: If I repeated this action 100 times, would my life be better or worse?Framework: The Complexity Trap.

The world is not black and white. Many of life's most important truths appear contradictory on the surface. A paradox is defined as a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement that, when investigated or explained, may prove to be true.This piece shares 20 of the most powerful paradoxes of life.

Question: What lie have I repeated to myself so many times that it feels like the truth?Framework: Laundry Cycle Theory.

On January 1, 2014, I wrote a letter to my future self just before graduating. Ten years later, I opened it, and it hit me hard. Everyone should do this.My core reflection: We have the answers, we just haven't asked the right questions yet.To write your own letter to your future self, cover four key areas: (1) Reflections on the present, (2) Vision for the future, (3) Changes to make, and (4) Fun predictions. Use a technology tool (like FutureMe) or store a physical letter somewhere safe. Set a calendar reminder to open it on the set date in the future.

Today is my 33rd birthday. Every year, I try to spend some time reflecting on what I've learned along the way.In the past, this list of life learnings was just for me—a private accounting of my own journey, growth, failures, and missteps. But this year, I'd like to share it with all of you.This piece shares 33 life learnings from my 33 years of life.

Most people overestimate what they can do in a day and underestimate what they can do in a year. Don't be one of them.Your entire life can change in one year. 2024 is officially upon us. Will it be the year that you change your life?This piece contains 24 actionable ideas for making 2024 your best year yet—segmented into categories across life, work, health, and money.

Welcome to the final episode of 2023. For the second year in a row, I sent out over 100 newsletters to my subscribers—two per week, every single week.The newsletter (and corresponding podcast) is all about ideas—actionable ideas to help you build a high-performing, healthy, wealthy life.I shared thousands of ideas here this year. My 10 favorites (the top 1% of ideas from 2023): The Surfer Mentality, the 4 Types of Luck, the Parable of the Two Arrows, the 4 Types of Professional Time, Mental Time Travel, ABC Goals, the Spotlight Effect, the Think Day, Grayscale Mode, and the Time Billionaire.

My 2024 Annual Planning Guide includes: (1) a simple goal-setting framework, (2) four system-building mental models, and (3) a strategy for tracking and adjusting throughout the year.This annual planning process has been an immensely helpful exercise to which I would credit many of my greatest achievements. I hope that it will spark you to conduct your own annual planning process for 2024, as I'm highly confident you will get incredible value from the exercise.You can download a beautiful (and free!) printable PDF of the template ​here​.

Question: How will this struggle fuel my inevitable growth?Framework: Monkeys & Pedestals

My wife and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary on December 17th. To create something unique and memorable, I decided I would explore a bit of the relationship wisdom that time provides.I asked couples who have been married 40, 50, and 60+ years a simple question: What relationship advice would you give to your younger selves?The advice captured 500+ years of earned relationship wisdom.

Question: What is the artist hidden inside of you?Framework: Shoshin - the beginner's mind.

The end of the calendar year presents us with a valuable opportunity to reflect on the year that was and plan for the year that will be. It's easy to glaze over the former and focus on the latter, but failure to reflect will eventually manifest as a failure to grow.The Personal Annual Review is 7 questions: (1) What did I change my mind on this year? (2) What created energy this year? (3) What drained energy this year? (4) Who were the boat anchors in my life? (5) What did I not do because of fear? (6) What were my greatest hits and worst misses? (7) What did I learn this year?You can download a beautiful (and free!) printable PDF of the template ​here​.

Question: What is the burden that you're still carrying?Framework: The Capability Gap.

Charlie Munger, an American investor most well-known as vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway and Warren Buffett's partner, passed away last week at 99, just one month shy of his 100th birthday.He was a treasure trove of wisdom—which he shared lavishly with the world over the course of his life, and which will create lasting ripples long after he is gone.10 of his insights that created a lasting impact on my life: (1) The most valuable riches take time, (2) Avoid the second arrow, (3) Develop real knowledge, (4) Success follows interest, (5) Invert, always invert, (6) Avoid the Ostrich Effect, (7) Never mimic the herd, (8) Create a "too hard" pile, (9) Live what you want to receive, and (10) Wisdom compounds.

Question: Where am I allowing the uncontrollable to impact my life?Framework: Energy Creators vs. Energy Absorbers.

In a famous story, Cicero wrote of Diagoras, an atheist who, when confronted with paintings of people who prayed and then were saved from a shipwreck, replied, "I see those who were saved, but where are those painted who prayed and drowned?"Survivorship Bias is the error resulting from systematically focusing on survivors (successes) and ignoring casualties (failures) that causes us to miss the true base rates of survival (the actual probability of success) and arrive at flawed conclusions.To avoid the trap, we must consider the unseen evidence just as much as the seen. To develop a better perspective on base rates of success, consult a Possibility Grid, which lays out completed and not completed actions of both winners and losers.

3 short passages from Teddy Roosevelt's 1899 Strenuous Life speech.

Question: What are the tiny things you are thankful for?Framework: Creative Cliff Illusion.

In preparation for my first marathon, I spoke to a legendary American marathoner, who offered one piece of advice: "Make sure you have three goals: An A Goal, a B Goal, and a C Goal." Soon after the race, I realized that the core principle behind the system applied well-beyond running.For any arena of life, you can create an A Goal, B Goal, and C Goal. On days when you feel great, you hit your A Goal. On days when you feel ok (most days!), you hit your B Goal. On days when you feel bad, you hit your C Goal.The ABC Goal System removes any intimidation or guilt: As long as you hit your C Goal, you're making forward progress.

I just co-hosted a three-day retreat with a group of multimillionaire entrepreneurs in Cabo.This podcast episode is a recording of my journal reflections from the event, which includes 10+ learnings (that everyone should hear)...

Question: How to flip the script on your fears.Framework: The 80% rule (kick the afternoon slump).

Every journey has two fundamental sides: (1) The Positive: Where we want to go; and (2) The Negative: Where we want to avoid along the way.The Anti-To-Do List is our tool for governing the negative, for avoiding the traps along the journey. Your Anti-To-Do List has the set of daily actions, behaviors, and habits to avoid; the things that will hold you back or lead you into trouble.The Anti-To-Do List is dynamic, comprised of the actions you are focused on avoiding in the present. My list changes periodically as I "graduate" (i.e. have 100% compliance for an extended period) from any one action and feel compelled to add a new one that I am struggling with.

Question: Are you fulfilled, or just less lonely?Framework: Grayscale Mode.

Researchers studying zebras in the wild placed a red dot on the target zebras to distinguish them, but they were quickly eaten by lions. The Zebra Effect says that blending into the crowd is a survival mechanism. Standing out is risky.In his final shareholder letter, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos called out the difficulty and importance of the fight against normalcy. Specifically, he said that your distinctiveness isn't free—it comes with a steep cost. But it is worth it.10 ways to stand out: (1) Take care of your house, (2) Learn to enjoy being wrong, (3) Let curiosity guide you, (4) Do the old fashioned things well, (5) Stop fearing boredom, (6) Avoid perspective blindness, (7) Find your tribe, (8) Avoid the comparison trap, (9) Stop taking everyone's advice, and (10) Avoid the need for external validation.

Question: What game are you playing?Framework: The Diderot Effect.

Mastering the art and science of conversation is essential to creating the deep human connection that provides rich texture to life.Four principles of connected conversation: (1) Create doorknobs, (2) Be a loud listener, (3) Repeat and follow, and (4) Make situational eye contact.Use my list of potential conversation starter or conversation developer doorknobs to thrive in your next social situation or professional gathering.

Question: How would you accomplish your 5-year goals in the next year?Framework: Inversion

Last weekend, I attended my 10-year Stanford University reunion. It was an opportunity to look back on those formative years, reconnect with old friends, and reflect on the lessons learned.10 lessons from 10-year college reunion: (1) The Medici Effect is real; (2) Your daily habits show up on your face after 10 years; (3) Insecurity tells, confidence shows; (4) Plans are great, but life will generally laugh at them; (5) Fighting the Zebra Effect is hard (but worth it); (6) Identity is the real thing we're searching for; (7) Freedom is rare, but incredibly apparent; (8) We get more embarrassing with age (or we're just mature enough to embrace it); (9) Shared struggle builds unbreakable bonds; (10) Life is much more fragile than you think.

Question: How is your definition of success harming your life?Framework: The 90% Rule.