The past week has been more mellow which has been nice. I attribute that to not having meetings. I’m realizing how much confrontation and meetings are upsetting and how much energy they take. I’m uncertain how to change this beside finding a way to make improvement an automated process. Building the culture that I want at work is going to take a long time. I need to find a way to set barriers and be more kind to my employees.
Source: Rational Optimist – Matt Ridley
Lesson: The majority of my thoughts are short sighted and not backed by information.
It’s been interesting going through this book and hearing him provide insight into many things contrary to my beliefs. The thought in environmental progress, the increased standard of living globally, the fact that the birth rate is decreasing. The biggest challenge for me has been in hearing of his insight about the benefits of GMO foods to meet the global hunger needs. The breakdown of progress by bureaucracy and regulation. How central planning often leads to more problems. I keep thinking about the time I went and heard Warren Buffet speak. I was struck by his level of optimism. The ability to step back and look at society as a whole. I think the ability to do this. To get past all the noise of the media cycle and popular thinking I almost view as a luxury.
Source: Time Ferris Podcast – Naval
Lesson: Become your own company. Wealth is freedom.
The importance of ownership. Try to have a life of integrity. Everything is compounding. The importance of surrounding yourself with people you trust. I try to listen to Naval more, but I’m uncertain if it’s a good thing. I agree philosophically with so much of what he says that I’m not sure it’s challenging my perspective. I think this podcast gave me the goal of wealth accumulation to be able to set a schedule where I can do whatever I want. Have the ability to sit, think, and synthesize information. I thought the statement about scientists being the hero’s of society was very powerful. The engineers and the scientists are the creators of the future. The bigger question becomes how do you get them the resources necessary to do the important work.
Podcasts Rapid Fire:
Crossroads – God’s Goodness Week 3: The balance of having God being supportive and having awe and reverence for him. I found it challenging because I find the personalization of God to be something I’m not sure I believe in. In that I don’t envision him being an old white man in white robes. Making my concept fit this this model was hard. Maybe it’s just allow the wonder of this life comfort you. The reverence component better translates into having humility to realize that we are temporary and that trying to simply God and all of existence gives us the perception that we are the most important thing in the universe.
White Coat Investor – Evidence-Based Investing Larry Swedroe
Lesson: Diversify your assets
Again humility is the theme. If you try to beat the pros you’ll probably get your ass whipped. Finding value is challenging. More and more people are taking on higher levels of risk to maintain past levels of return. I’m not sure if this creates more or less opportunity.
Knowledge Project. Chamath Palihapitiya
Lesson: Become better, think long term
Seeking Progress 