How To Live

1. Embrace independence as the path to true freedom

All misery comes from dependency.

Break dependencies. Achieving true freedom means breaking free from dependencies on income, people, and technology. Cultivate self-reliance by developing essential skills like gardening, emergency preparedness, and off-grid living. Avoid aligning with specific ideologies or groups, and instead focus on your own thoughts and actions.

Cultivate inner strength. Practice emotional independence by not letting others' opinions affect you. Make decisions based on your own judgment, and take responsibility for the outcomes. Embrace solitude and learn to be comfortable with yourself. By reducing external dependencies, you create a life of true autonomy and happiness.

2. Commit fully to your choices to find fulfillment

What makes something the best choice? You. You make it the best through your commitment to it.

Choose and dedicate. Instead of constantly seeking the "best" option, pick something and commit to it wholeheartedly. This commitment transforms your choice into the best one for you. Apply this principle to relationships, career paths, and life decisions. By fully investing in your choices, you create depth and meaning in your experiences.

Embrace consistency. Build strong relationships and a sense of community by committing to a place and people. Develop habits and rituals that align with your goals. Remember that consistency in character and actions is what defines you. By committing fully to your choices, you create a life of purpose and fulfillment.

3. Pursue mastery in one area for ultimate success

Mastery is the best goal because the rich can't buy it, the impatient can't rush it, the privileged can't inherit it, and nobody can steal it.

Focus intensely. Choose one area to master and dedicate your life to it. This singular focus gives you incredible power and depth of understanding. Define success for yourself and set clear goals. Develop a daily practice ritual and protect your time fiercely. Remember that mastery is a lifelong journey, not a destination.

Think long-term. Embrace the challenges and setbacks as part of the learning process. Be willing to sacrifice short-term pleasures for long-term growth. Surround yourself with others who share your passion and ambition. By pursuing mastery, you not only achieve personal excellence but also make a lasting contribution to your field and the world.

4. Let randomness guide your life for new perspectives

You'll know everything is random, and won't believe it has a reason.

Embrace uncertainty. Use a random generator to make decisions in your life, from small choices to major life changes. This approach breaks habitual patterns and opens you up to new experiences and perspectives. By surrendering control, you learn to adapt quickly and see the world with fresh eyes.

Practice acceptance. Randomness helps you let go of the need for explanations and reasons. Embrace the idea that life is a series of disconnected events rather than a coherent narrative. This mindset frees you from regret and excessive planning, allowing you to live more fully in the present moment. By letting randomness guide you, you develop resilience and a deeper appreciation for life's inherent unpredictability.

5. Prepare for the worst to thrive in any situation

Expecting life to be wonderful is disappointing. Expecting life to be disappointing is wonderful.

Anticipate challenges. Mentally prepare for potential difficulties and disasters. This doesn't mean being pessimistic, but rather developing resilience and adaptability. Practice being uncomfortable in small ways, such as taking cold showers or fasting occasionally. By preparing for the worst, you'll be better equipped to handle whatever life throws at you.

Cultivate gratitude. Appreciate what you have by imagining life without it. This perspective shift helps you find joy in everyday things and builds resilience against setbacks. Focus on what's within your control, particularly your thoughts and reactions. By preparing for the worst while cultivating gratitude, you create a mindset that can thrive in any circumstance.

6. Create value for others to achieve wealth and happiness

Making money is proof you're adding value to people's lives.

Shift your perspective. View wealth creation as a moral and positive pursuit. Focus on creating value for others rather than solely pursuing personal gain. Develop skills that are in high demand and solve real problems for people. By aligning your financial goals with creating value, you contribute to society while achieving personal success.

Think big and take action. Set ambitious goals and be willing to take calculated risks. Develop a business mindset, focusing on serving customers and creating long-term relationships. Invest wisely and stay frugal, remembering that true wealth is about freedom and options, not just accumulation. By creating value for others, you not only achieve financial success but also find deeper fulfillment and purpose.

7. Reinvent yourself regularly to stay adaptable and grow

There is no line between moments in time.

Embrace change. Regularly change aspects of your life, including your job, location, and personal style. This constant reinvention keeps you adaptable and prevents stagnation. Challenge your own beliefs and preferences, always being willing to try the opposite of what you've done before. By regularly reinventing yourself, you develop a flexible identity that can thrive in any situation.

Let go of the past. Recognize that your past doesn't define your future. Each moment is an opportunity for a fresh start. Don't be constrained by consistency with your past self or others' expectations. By regularly reinventing yourself, you stay open to new opportunities and continue growing throughout your life.

8. Love actively and connect deeply with the world around you

Love is a combination of attention, appreciation, and empathy.

Choose to love. Actively practice love as a verb, not just a feeling. Give your full attention to people, places, and experiences. Cultivate appreciation and empathy for everything around you. Share your knowledge, time, and resources generously. By choosing to love actively, you create deeper connections and find more meaning in life.

Be authentically honest. Break down walls that prevent real connections by being honest about your thoughts and feelings. Practice active listening and encourage others to share more deeply. In romantic relationships, avoid seeing partners as solutions to your problems, and instead focus on mutual growth and support. By loving actively and authentically, you create a life rich in meaningful connections and experiences.

9. Create and share your unique perspective with the world

Die empty. Get every idea out of your head and into reality.

Prioritize creation. Make finishing projects your top priority. Develop a consistent creative practice, working every day regardless of inspiration. Embrace your unique quirks and perspective, using them to fuel your creative work. Share your creations widely, recognizing that art needs an audience to have impact.

Balance creation and release. Separate the act of creating from sharing with the world. Consider using a pseudonym to maintain emotional distance from criticism. Charge for your work to ensure it reaches those who truly value it. Keep creating until your last breath, leaving behind a body of work that represents who you truly were. By prioritizing creation and sharing your unique perspective, you make a lasting impact on the world.

10. Focus on avoiding negatives to live a fulfilling life

For something to fail, only one thing needs to go wrong.

Prioritize risk reduction. Focus on avoiding failures rather than always striving to be right. Pay special attention to preventing accidents and reducing risks in all areas of life. Recognize that negative experiences often have a more powerful impact than positive ones, so prioritize eliminating negatives from your life.

Value your time. Treat time as your most precious resource. Avoid time-wasting activities and focus on what truly matters. Use the awareness of death as a motivation to live fully and purposefully. By focusing on avoiding negatives and valuing your time, you create a life with fewer regrets and more meaningful experiences.

Last updated: October 4, 2024