Ideas

Better models for operating in the world.

Feature image for A Nuanced Take on Preventing Burnout

A Nuanced Take on Preventing Burnout

A technique to prevent burnout from my old bosses in Silicon Valley. And then some moral philosophising.

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Optimise for Usefulness

Optimising for usefulness is my current stab at a core principle that underpins the effective life. A first draft of a life philosophy.

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Dismissively Stubborn

Dismissive stubbornness is the worst kind of stubborn, and the only character trait I can’t tolerate on my team.

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The Superiority of ‘Trial & Error’

Nassem Taleb and a mozzarella video show us how trial & error is actually a superior life strategy.

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The End of the Principles Sequence

I spent a few weeks reading Ray Dalio's Principles and summarising the contents. This is the end, in which I take a final stab at contextualising the book.

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Being an Effective Decision Maker

The final chapter of Ray Dalio's Life Principles — which has to do with better decision-making.

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Understand that People are Wired Very Differently

Understanding how the human brain works helps with managing yourself, as well as with orchestrating other people.

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On Lying To Yourself

Your two biggest barriers to achieving your goals: lying to yourself and blind-spots. The cure? Being 'radically open-minded'.

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How To Optimise for Success, A Theory

Successful practitioners use 'optimise for usefulness' over 'optimise for truth'. Unintended side effect: this means it's ok to believe in religion, so long as it doesn't harm you.

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Ray Dalio's 5 Step Process (To Getting What You Want Out Of Life)

Ray Dalio's has a 5 step process that reads slightly self-helpy, but like the rest of Principles, was written for the rational man in mind.