3 reasons why you don't need to feel "left behind" in life
teaforthought.substack.com
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1. Growth correlates poorly with time (and effort)
Growth correlates the strongest with applied leverage.
If I had to write a formula for growth, it would be:
Growth = ( Time^0.5 ) * Intensity of Effort * ( Leverage^2 )
- If your effort is focused (and thus, intense), you usually achieve the same amount of things in less time.
- If you work on higher-leverage stuff, you can achieve the same amount of things with less amounts of time and effort.
Thus, the “shortest route” is not necessarily the shortest one.
Don’t pick a route solely for its length.
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2. Earlier achievements != More enjoyment time
If you achieve a milestone earlier, will you be able to enjoy it for a longer time?
Ideally, yes.
But we never really know.
- Things in life are impermanent. We are all on God's clock.
- I could die tomorrow in some freak accident. Then, I’ll no longer be able to enjoy the fruits of my labor.
What we can do is make the best of what we have in the present.
Enjoy your days, whether you achieve something or not.
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3. Experiences last longer than material possessions
Objects break down over time.
That Porsche, Rolex, or fancy house won’t be “as good as new” 3 decades later.
But you can relive your experiences as if they happened yesterday.
- You’ll remember that lovely honeymoon with your spouse.
- You’ll also remember the gruelling 70-hour workweeks you put in to get that Porsche.
Collect good experiences that you can:
- feel happy in the present
- fondly look back on
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So: If Someone’s Telling You That You Shouldn’t Do It…
I.e. They keep saying you’re “too old”/“too young”/“too late” to do X…
or that you’ll “lag behind” if you do X…
- Do your research. Know what you’re getting into.
- If it still resonates, do it anyway.
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You might like my weekly newsletter, Tea For Thought!
I’m on a mission to design and live an intentional life, and I share what I’ve learned along the way.
This newsletter issue was inspired by what others have told me about
- taking a gap year
- studying overseas
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IDEAS CURATED BY
Developer of solutions, people, and self / Living in 7 countries in 4 years of CS undergrad at Minerva University / Intentional living newsletter 👇🏼
CURATOR'S NOTE
I’ve taken the “longer route” twice in the past 7 years. Here’s why I no longer feel “left behind”.
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