“I never allow myself to have an opinion on anything that I don’t know the other side’s argument better than they do.” — Charlie Munger
I’m gonna go out on a limb here and try to argue against even some of the things I personally believe in. I guarantee you won’t like some of these. I know I don’t, but I still think they’re true.
- TV. “I wish I had watched more seasons of House of Cards!” said no one ever on their deathbed.
- Dating. Just pick someone you like and who’s not a total deal-breaker. Stick with them. There’s no such thing as perfect.
- Dessert. Eat until you’re 80% full. Then stop. Keeps not just your body light.
- Travel. Plants bloom where they’re planted. Why can’t you?
- News. When’s the last time you put down the newspaper thinking “I am so glad I read that?” Yeah, I thought so.
- Luxury. The ultimate vanity metric. Frugality is freedom.
- Networking. Why print business cards when you can just work so hard people will make an effort to give you theirs?
- Collecting. When you’re paying some extra space from someone who’ll keep an eye on your excess stuff, you know it’s time to sell some of your shit.
- Sleep. If you live to be 90 years old and sleep an average of 8 hours a night, you’ll have been asleep for 30 years of your life. That’s enough, isn’t it?
- Opinions. Especially other people’s. Sticking to your own is hard enough as it is. Focus on that.
- Reading. There, I said it. Consuming information is overrated. What if we just made an effort to talk more with other people? Would that be that bad?
- Diplomacy. No matter what you do, 33% of people will love you, 33% of people will hate you and 33% of people just won’t give a damn about you. Might as well stick to your guns.
- Expertise. The more you can afford to say “I don’t know,” the sooner you can start looking for real answers. Don’t be a pro. Unless you can be a professional beginner.
- College. $100,000 is pretty expensive for a hat. Even if it’s free it won’t necessarily make you smarter. Think long about it. Don’t expect it to be your golden ticket.
- Ego. The best thing you can do for your ego is to let go of it. When I feel bad, I help someone else. Always works.
- Parties. If you’re not where you want to be in life, yet go clubbing every weekend, what the hell are you celebrating?
- Money. There’s a fine line where money goes from enabling to exhausting. Walk the line.
- Fashion. We used to have 4 seasons. Now we have 52. Clothes change so obscenely fast that yours will be back in style faster than you think.
- Drugs. Life’s short enough as it is. I want to keep every memory I make for as long as I can.
- Authority. True for both your own and other people’s. Enjoy when no one listens to you. Once people do, you’ll have to think hard about what you say.
There’s a million more, but the point is: 99% of things don’t matter.
Find the 1%.
