When building, take pride in carrying the quality all the way through.
Would you be proud for your work to be seen from every angle and perspective?
If not, keep working.
Razors are rules that simplify decisions.
THREAD: 20+ powerful razors (to help you cut through life’s noise):
When building, take pride in carrying the quality all the way through.
Would you be proud for your work to be seen from every angle and perspective?
If not, keep working.
Complexity and jargon are often used to mask a lack of true understanding.
If you can’t explain it to a 5-year-old, you don’t really understand it.
If someone uses a lot of complexity and jargon to explain something to you, they probably don’t understand it.
“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
Opinions aren’t free. You have to work to earn the right to have them.
The goal is to minimize the number of regrets in life.
When faced with a difficult decision:
(1) Project yourself into the future
(2) Look back on the decision
(3) Ask "Will I regret not doing this?"
(4) Take action https://t.co/ve5kiowvN7
The @JeffBezos Regret Minimization Framework is a simple yet powerful mental model for making important decisions and unlocking growth in your career, startup, business, relationships, or life.
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) February 24, 2021
A short thread on how it works and how it can change your life... pic.twitter.com/krtr2CarxW
“The most important thing to do if you find yourself in a hole is to stop digging." - Warren Buffett
When things aren’t working, change course and try something different.
When you find yourself at the bottom of a hole, stop digging and climb out of it.
If someone proposes a crazy idea, ask:
(1) Are they a domain expert?
(2) Do I know them to be reasonable?
If yes on (1) and (2), you should take the idea seriously, as it may be an asymmetric bet on the future.
Truly successful people rarely feel the need to boast about their success.
If someone regularly boasts about their income, wealth, or success, it’s fair to assume the reality is a fraction of what they claim.
Be ruthless in identifying your circle of competence (and its boundaries).
When faced with a big decision, ask yourself whether you are qualified to handle it given your circle.
If yes, proceed. If no, outsource it to someone who is. https://t.co/H5zwF6Pkqt
Circle of Competence 101
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) January 6, 2021
Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger often reference the importance of knowing the boundaries of your circle of competence.
But what is a Circle of Competence and how does it work?
Here's Circle of Competence 101! pic.twitter.com/KCLwyczlx8
If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it’s probably a duck.
You can determine a lot about a person by regularly observing their habitual characteristics.
“You don't have to swing at everything - you can wait for your pitch." - Warren Buffett
Life doesn’t reward you for the number of swings you take.
Slow down and focus on identifying the juiciest pitch.
When it comes, swing hard and don’t miss it.
The simplest explanation is often the best one.
Simple assumptions > complex assumptions.
Simple is beautiful. https://t.co/X8ZWwVKVlj
Occam's Razor 101
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) November 12, 2020
With a wave of complexity and unknowns smashing into the financial and political worlds, the elegant simplicity of Occam's Razor is primed for a revival.
But what is Occam's Razor and how does it work?
Here's Occam's Razor 101!
\U0001f447\U0001f447\U0001f447 pic.twitter.com/cuGzQ1YOLP
“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently.” - Warren Buffett
Remember that quote and act accordingly.
Your character is your fate.
Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
In assessing someone's actions, we should not assume negative intent if there is a viable alternative explanation, such as different beliefs, incompetence, or ignorance. https://t.co/myAAODdncq
Hanlon's Razor is a simple mental model for cutting through negative noise and unlocking growth in your career, startup, business, or relationships.
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) March 17, 2021
A short thread on what it is and how it can change your life... pic.twitter.com/7przXYiCKZ
If forced to choose between two options of seemingly equal merit, choose the one that doesn’t look the part.
The one who doesn’t look the part has had to overcome much more to achieve its status than the one who fit in perfectly.
If something cannot be settled by experiment or observation, it is not worth debating.
This will save you from wasting a lot of time on pointless arguments.
Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by self-interest.
In assessing someone's actions, we should not assume negative intent if there is a viable alternative explanation that they are acting on rooted self-interest.
What can be asserted without evidence can also be dismissed without evidence.
The burden of proof regarding a claim lies with the one who makes the claim. If unmet, no argument is required to dismiss it.
“Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.”
The more crazy and outrageous the claim, the more crazy and outrageous the body of evidence must be in order to prove it.
“Read what you love until you love to read.”
When deciding what to read, just read whatever grabs you.
Avoid the trap of only reading “impressive” or “smart” books that bore you to death.
Never establish vanity metrics (e.g. # of books) as goals.
When faced with a task, ask: “Is this urgent? Is this important?”
An "urgent" task is one that requires immediate attention. An "important" task is one that promotes or furthers your long-term goals.
Place it on a 2x2 matrix and act accordingly. https://t.co/UNFqkFw69B
The Eisenhower Decision Matrix is a powerful tool for prioritizing your time and unlocking growth in your career, startup, business, relationships, or life.
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) February 16, 2021
A thread on how it works and how it can change your life... pic.twitter.com/tSihZV9oyx
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” - Steve Jobs
It’s Monday morning. Did you wake up with energy or with dread?
Your answer will tell you if you’re settling.
When deciding on a new job, choose the one that will challenge you the most (intellectually, physically, or emotionally).
Challenge and discomfort forces growth.
(P.S. Check out the job board below for challenging new roles!)
https://t.co/UhW76VmjrH
If you enjoyed this, follow me @SahilBloom for more and join the 20,000+ others by subscribing to my newsletter, where I regularly share high-signal, curiosity inducing content. https://t.co/qMB8i60ney
More from Sahil Bloom
10 threads to accelerate your career:
How to Win (without talent or luck)
20+ principles compiled from the most impressive leaders and thinkers in the world.
20 Ways to Stand Out in a Hiring Process (that don’t involve your resume)
You can stand out without fancy degrees or credentials—learn how.
Common Interview Questions (& how to nail them)
Interviews suck—proper preparation makes them suck slightly less.
How to Write Cold Emails (or DMs)
Because one lucky break can make all the difference…
How to Win (without talent or luck)
20+ principles compiled from the most impressive leaders and thinkers in the world.
How to Win (without talent or luck):
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) October 16, 2021
20 Ways to Stand Out in a Hiring Process (that don’t involve your resume)
You can stand out without fancy degrees or credentials—learn how.
The hiring process is ultra-competitive.
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) May 31, 2021
But you\u2019ve incorrectly been told that the only way to stand out is by having fancy degrees and credentials.
THREAD: 20 ways to stand out in a hiring process (that don\u2019t involve your resume):
Common Interview Questions (& how to nail them)
Interviews suck—proper preparation makes them suck slightly less.
The interview process is ultra-competitive.
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) August 7, 2021
But with proper preparation, it is possible to stand out.
THREAD: 20 common interview questions, what they really mean, and how to nail them:
How to Write Cold Emails (or DMs)
Because one lucky break can make all the difference…
One cold email can change your life.
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) October 24, 2021
Here's how to write a great one:
Lifelong learning is a competitive advantage.
But contrary to what you’ve been told, lifelong learners are built, not born.
THREAD: 20 lifelong learning habits you can start developing today.
Stimulate Dynamically
The mind is a muscle - it needs to be stimulated dynamically to continue to grow.
Don’t rely on one “exercise” - develop a menu of options.
Write, read, listen, watch. Solve puzzles, play games. Enjoy it!
Stimulate dynamically, learn dynamically.
Build Learning Circles
The most powerful learning is communal, not individual.
Build learning circles with other intellectually curious minds.
Engage regularly with no set intention or goal.
Community is everything. Embrace it.
Keep Asking Why
“Why?” is the most useful tool in our learning toolkit.
But somewhere along the line, we are told to stop asking why and just accept “facts” as we are told them.
Reject the norm.
If you want to understand the world, take a cue from our kids - keep asking why!
Adopt a Process Orientation
Prioritize process.
Learn for the sake of learning, not always for a specific goal.
When you prioritize process, you become flexible in where you are headed.
Life is a winding, confusing journey - forward progress is all that matters.
But contrary to what you’ve been told, lifelong learners are built, not born.
THREAD: 20 lifelong learning habits you can start developing today.
Stimulate Dynamically
The mind is a muscle - it needs to be stimulated dynamically to continue to grow.
Don’t rely on one “exercise” - develop a menu of options.
Write, read, listen, watch. Solve puzzles, play games. Enjoy it!
Stimulate dynamically, learn dynamically.
Build Learning Circles
The most powerful learning is communal, not individual.
Build learning circles with other intellectually curious minds.
Engage regularly with no set intention or goal.
Community is everything. Embrace it.
Keep Asking Why
“Why?” is the most useful tool in our learning toolkit.
But somewhere along the line, we are told to stop asking why and just accept “facts” as we are told them.
Reject the norm.
If you want to understand the world, take a cue from our kids - keep asking why!
First principles thinking is a powerful mental model for driving non-linear outcomes. It also requires a willingness to ask difficult, uncomfortable questions.
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) March 14, 2021
Here are a few to help you get started: pic.twitter.com/KyuAr7IUf7
Adopt a Process Orientation
Prioritize process.
Learn for the sake of learning, not always for a specific goal.
When you prioritize process, you become flexible in where you are headed.
Life is a winding, confusing journey - forward progress is all that matters.
More from Personal growth
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The YouTube algorithm that I helped build in 2011 still recommends the flat earth theory by the *hundreds of millions*. This investigation by @RawStory shows some of the real-life consequences of this badly designed AI.
This spring at SxSW, @SusanWojcicki promised "Wikipedia snippets" on debated videos. But they didn't put them on flat earth videos, and instead @YouTube is promoting merchandising such as "NASA lies - Never Trust a Snake". 2/
A few example of flat earth videos that were promoted by YouTube #today:
https://t.co/TumQiX2tlj 3/
https://t.co/uAORIJ5BYX 4/
https://t.co/yOGZ0pLfHG 5/
Flat Earth conference attendees explain how they have been brainwashed by YouTube and Infowarshttps://t.co/gqZwGXPOoc
— Raw Story (@RawStory) November 18, 2018
This spring at SxSW, @SusanWojcicki promised "Wikipedia snippets" on debated videos. But they didn't put them on flat earth videos, and instead @YouTube is promoting merchandising such as "NASA lies - Never Trust a Snake". 2/
A few example of flat earth videos that were promoted by YouTube #today:
https://t.co/TumQiX2tlj 3/
https://t.co/uAORIJ5BYX 4/
https://t.co/yOGZ0pLfHG 5/
