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June 28 - June 28, 2018
Robert Greene, the author of Mastery, put it best: “If there is any instrument you must fall in love with and fetishize, it is the human brain—the most miraculous, awe-inspiring, information-processing tool devised in the known universe, with a complexity we can’t even begin to fathom, and with dimensional powers that far outstrip any piece of technology in sophistication and usefulness.”
Dan Ariely, author of Predictable Irrationality, writes: “We usually think of ourselves as sitting in the driver's seat, with ultimate control over the decisions we made and the direction our life takes; but, alas, this perception has more to do with our desires—with how we want to view ourselves-than with reality.”
If we want to think straight at all times, we must stay grounded, look at facts, listen to other people’s perspectives, and only then draw practical conclusions.
Roman Emperor and Stoic philosopher, Marcus Aurelius said it best: “The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it.”
“I know one thing: That I know nothing,” is what Socrates famously told the Oracle of Delphi when Socrates was declared the wisest man on earth.
French philosopher René Descartes, who lived in the 17th century, took it one step further. He questioned everything in life, even his own existence. Because how do you know you’re not dreaming or living in The Matrix? That’s why he famously said: “Cogito ergo sum.” Popularly translated to, “I think, therefore I am.”
Descartes also reviewed his own thoughts and found many contradictions. His most important idea is that we should question the source of our beliefs, not the belief itself. Because most of our beliefs are based on our or other people’s perception.
Instead of relying on heuristics to filter information and make decisions, rely on the main idea of pragmatism:
“Will the outcome of a decision change the way I live?”
Only think about things you can control. That automatically eliminates about 99% of your thoughts because there’s very little you control in life.
A cognitive bias is a systematic thinking error that impacts judgments, and therefore, our decisions.
Friedrich Nietzsche, the German philosopher who had a profound impact on western philosophy, famously said: "There are no facts, only interpretations."
“Conquer yourself rather than the world.” ― René Descartes
If you don’t know what to write about—write your life story.
Invest in your skills.
I just make sure I invest my money instead of spending it.
Money is a replaceable resource. When you’re out of it, you can earn it back. You can’t say the same for time. Don’t spend too much time thinking about money.
Jack Kerouac
