Make a conscious choice to not care what other people think about you, as this frees you from significant burden and allows you to live more authentically and happily.
Cultivate the ability to radically accept things that are beyond your control, especially in the face of major life events, as this can lead to a profound sense of calm and reduce struggle.
Recognize and invest in mental health tools and self-care, as these are dramatically more important for navigating the world and fostering happiness than traditional education often suggests.
Clearly distinguish between your ultimate objective, the strategies to achieve it, and the specific tactics employed, to avoid misdirection and ensure effective problem-solving.
When facing a problem, reframe the core question to focus on the desired outcome rather than just limiting factors, which can unlock more effective and diverse solutions.
Prioritize investment in research and development for problems with asymmetric, high-impact risks, as the cost of R&D is trivial compared to the potential costs of disaster or implementation.
For significant global problems, advocate for or initiate a focused, interdisciplinary ‘Manhattan Project’ approach, pooling top scientific talent and resources to find rapid, innovative solutions.
Understand that problems fundamentally driven by externalities (where individual actions have little personal effect but negative societal impact) are rarely solved by individual behavior change alone; systemic or technological solutions are often required.
To effectively drive behavior change, focus on altering the default environment and social norms rather than solely relying on individuals to ‘do the right thing’.
Train yourself to observe the world and think without relying on language, as this practice can lead to a different way of processing emotions and potentially reduce feelings of unhappiness or anger.
Establish a personal rule to not worry about decisions involving small amounts of money (e.g., under $5, $10, or even $100), as this frees up significant mental bandwidth and reduces daily burden.
As a parent, accept the inherent uncertainty of the world and your limited control over your children’s lives, fostering their autonomy and independence from a young age.
Make a conscious effort to regularly express feelings of love and affection to family members, counteracting societal norms that might discourage such open communication.
Advocate for a radical overhaul of the education curriculum to prioritize teaching children essential life skills, conflict resolution, and tools for happiness and well-being, rather than solely academic subjects.
Encourage and subsidize experimentation and innovation in educational approaches, allowing different models to run and identifying what effectively helps students cope with the world.
When analyzing information or engaging in discussions, make a sharp distinction between verifiable facts and the implications or interpretations drawn from those facts.
Before engaging in a debate or discussion, ask participants to clearly lay out the foundational facts they believe to be true, ensuring agreement on facts before discussing their implications.
Adopt a strategy of ‘failing quickly’ in endeavors, allowing for rapid identification of unworkable paths and redirection of effort.
Focus on studying and researching topics that genuinely interest you, even if they are unconventional, as this can lead to unique contributions and personal fulfillment.
Practice being yourself and pursuing what you like, and if a path isn’t working, be willing to take a different one, rather than trying to conform to external expectations.
Transition from being a consumer of knowledge to an active producer of knowledge, which is essential for intellectual growth and contribution in academic or professional fields.
When you feel fatigued by answering questions, shift to asking questions yourself, as it is often more engaging and interesting.
When physical talent is a limiting factor, leverage intelligence and data-driven approaches to develop tools and strategies for significant improvement.
Understand that consistent and deliberate practice is crucial for significant improvement in any skill or endeavor.
For physical performance, implement a deliberate and varied training regimen, including activities like zone two training or cross-training, to build capacity and efficiency.
Recognize that many of the worst decisions stem from inaction rather than flawed action, encouraging a bias towards making choices.
Develop the ability to quit situations or endeavors that are no longer serving you, ideally sooner than your natural inclination, to avoid being stuck in bad situations.
When choosing academic courses, prioritize classes that are widely popular, as they are often both high-quality and manageable.
For high-stakes medical research where volunteers are needed, offer sufficiently high financial compensation to attract a broad and diverse pool of participants, thereby addressing ethical concerns around coercion and vulnerability.