In your 20s, find one passion and work harder at it than anything else, even if it feels like a grind and involves significant pain and sacrifice, as work-life balance is often best learned the hard way after such a journey. This advice is especially applicable to engineering and programming disciplines.
To pursue challenging goals, consciously “close the hatch” on predictable, easy sources of dopamine and instead remap your dopamine reward system to derive satisfaction from the struggle, failures, and “limbic friction” of the difficult pursuit.
Recognize your true calling by a deep, almost ineffable “magic” feeling or intense fascination for a particular domain or pursuit, even if there’s no prior data to support your aptitude for it.
Recognize that filling your day with busy work, even enjoyable and productive activities, can serve as an excuse to avoid pursuing the truly challenging and heart-driven goals that scare you.
While external competition can provide a temporary push, pure love and curiosity for a pursuit offer a more sustainable and less “catabolic” source of motivation than adversarial relationships.
When faced with loss, people realize that what truly matters is the people in their life (friends, family), not material possessions.
In times of ideological lumping and division, strive to “walk in the middle” with empathy and humility, recognizing that most people are in the middle, trying to figure things out.
When engaging in challenging conversations, especially with controversial figures, empathize, understand, and “steel man” their case, while also clearly articulating your own perspective, rather than talking down to them.
When facing intense criticism or backlash, engage in soul-searching and introspection to learn from it, even if it leads to low points and despair, as this process can ultimately make you better.
Combat viral negativity by adding “love” and good vibes, being silly, laughing at life’s absurdity, and maintaining a positive perspective. When criticized, learn if possible, send good vibes, and avoid escalating, as your actions shape your community.
When facing dark or despairing moments, recall the poem’s message of “promises to keep” as a powerful reminder and motivation to choose to live and persevere through challenges.
If external motivators aren’t effective, construct an internal “amorphous blob” or “hater” that embodies your self-doubt and weaknesses, then channel anger towards this adversary to push through challenges.
When pursuing ambitious goals, seek coaches or mentors who offer unconditional belief in your ability, followed by viciously intense and challenging guidance to push you towards that pursuit.
Drink an electrolyte drink (like Element, 1 packet in 16-32 oz water) first thing in the morning and during physical exercise to support optimal brain and body function and prevent cognitive/physical performance diminishment.
Use protocols like Yoga Nidra or Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR), even for short 10-minute sessions, to greatly restore cognitive and physical energy.
Take a daily vitamin, mineral, and probiotic drink (like AG1, once or twice a day) to support gut health, immune system, and overall foundational nutritional needs.
Use cold exposure (like ice baths) to potentially increase testosterone via vasoconstriction/vasodilation. Avoid hot saunas/baths if trying to conceive, or use an ice pack on the groin during heat exposure, as heat kills sperm for a 60-day cycle.
Males should consider freezing sperm while young, as it’s relatively inexpensive and there’s a small but significant association with autism as males age.
If you don’t currently have family responsibilities, consider taking full advantage of this life stage to be more accepting of calculated risks, especially for pursuits your heart pulls you towards.
To gain new perspective and ensure everyone feels included, view topics from a variety of lenses, zooming out of your own experience.
Recognize that many narratives confidently claim truth, often leading to hatred; approach information calmly and with an open mind to understand what’s truly happening.
In an information war, especially on social media, it’s hard to discern truth; keep an open mind, ignore the powerful, and listen to actual citizens.
If circumstances impose an early curfew or forced alone time, embrace it as an opportunity to spend many hours alone, thinking, which can bring calmness and quietness.
Aim for an approximate 15% failure rate in your learning and growth endeavors, as getting trials right about 85% of the time appears optimal for neuroplasticity in various pursuits like language, math, and physical activities.
Relationships formed or tested during difficult times are more likely to become strong and resilient, as opposed to those built only when everything is going well.
If you’re considering starting a podcast, do it, but ensure it’s not just unstructured talking; provide structured information.
For scientists, Twitter can be an effective medium for rapid science communication, sharing work and data quickly, with appropriate caveats about peer review status.
As a founder, focus on hiring truly excellent people, as their quality will define your company’s trajectory and success, and you have a responsibility not to fail them.
If leading a social media company, be prepared for an “avalanche of hate” and distrust, as any mistakes or transparency around difficult decisions (like censorship) can lead to significant public backlash.
Overdressing slightly, such as wearing a suit, can be a sign of respect for your audience or those you interact with, showing that you take them seriously.