Choosing Beliefs for Growth

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The chapter explores the concept of adopting beliefs that lead to personal growth and improvement, emphasizing the importance of choosing beliefs that are helpful, even if they are not entirely accurate. Discussions on overestimation in easy tasks and underestimation in difficult ones, as well as adjusting behaviors for short-term or long-term success, provide practical examples for understanding the impact of beliefs on outcomes. The speaker shares insights on assuming personal responsibility, making accurate predictions, and the nuances of fault and judgment in attributing blame and causality.

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Is nothing objectively true? What kinds of things are we trying to communicate with the stories we tell? Why do we feel the need to take a side on every issue? Which sorts of issues should be tied to our identities? How can we set the definitions for terms in a conversation, if possible? Should people just believe whatever works for them? Is it better to try to compensate for our biases or to reduce them? Should we strive to have lower confidence in ourselves and our abilities? How should we think about assigning blame when something goes wrong? When should we say yes or no to new opportunities? To what degree should we try to optimize our lives?

Derek Sivers is an author of philosophy and entrepreneurship known for his surprising, quotable insights and pithy, succinct writing style. Formerly a musician, programmer, TED speaker, and circus clown, he sold his first company for $22 million and gave all the money to charity. Sivers’ books (How to Live, Hell Yeah or No, Your Music and People, and Anything You Want) and newest projects are at his website: sive.rs

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