The Paradox Of Power
Being a CEO, or a celebrity is a sought-after state, something that is assumed to be empowering. The reality of power is quite different and shocking.
Most people dream of wealth, power, riches and fame, falsely believing that we control our destiny and fate, and if we just become richer or more famous, we will live the life we want to live, with complete freedom and autonomy.
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A person of authority, power, fame and public standing is robbed of choices. He cannot explore, drift or reinvent himself. His dependence on others and responsibilities stop him from learning and growing, and his life is robbed of any self-discovery.
The powerful man is focused on survival and is a distrusting, fearful man, existing in a golden cage.
Real autonomy is the freedom to do what you want to do from the movement you get up in the morning until the time you go to bed. It is the freedom to think, to invest, to have an opinion, to spend time on an activity that we want to, and being able to redefine what success means, in our own terms.
An individual who is free to be, and is not tied to rules, obligations, people, followers, free from constraints, is truly rich and successful.
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Moderation, a middle point between two extremes, has been considered a key virtue for thousands of years.
Today, instead of understanding and admiring moderation, we've come to view it as a weakness. When we look at money, more is better. We consider the person with the most as the happiest and the best. Television is possible because of immoderate people. The pop and influencer culture rests almost entirely on people who have given themselves over to the pursuit of total pleasure and fame.
A few things to keep in mind when starting work in a new field:
- We may not be as great or important as we think.
- We may need an attitude readjustment.
- Most of our knowledge, which may be spanning decades, is now obsolete, and we may need to unlearn it.
71. Go the f*ck to sleep.
72. “Always say less than necessary.” — Robert Greene
73. Never take a phone call sitting down. Go outside and go for a walk.
74. Champion other people’s work.
75. Make commitments.
77. “Associate with people who are likely to improve you. Welcome those who you are capable of improving.” — Seneca
78. See the beauty in the mundane.
79. Print out good advice and put it right in front of your desk.
80. Remember: Nobody is thinking about you.