#723 - Modern Wisdom Christmas Special - Reflecting On The Wildest Year

479 snips

Dec 23, 2023

Guest

Join Jonny, Yusef, and George as they reflect on the whirlwind of 2023, sharing their favorite lessons and quirky life hacks. Discover why two duvets lead to better sleep and the productivity system that's taking the world by storm. Yusef talks about an app he uses over 400 times a day while they explore the virtues of fitness trackers without the need to buy one. With humor and camaraderie, these seasoned contributors uncover the secrets to maximizing productivity and enjoying the journey in the new year!

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ADVICE

Automate Tedious Tasks

Automate tedious tasks like protein intake or savings.
This removes the need for willpower and prevents impulsive decisions.

ADVICE

Text Your Friends

Text friends when you think of them to strengthen relationships.
It benefits both parties and prevents friendship decay.

ADVICE

The Double Duvet System

Use two duvets when sharing a bed to improve sleep quality.
This simple change can significantly reduce sleep disturbances.

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Four Thousand Weeks

Time Management for Mortals

Oliver Burkeman

In 'Four Thousand Weeks', Oliver Burkeman offers a contrarian approach to time management by focusing on the finite nature of human life. Assuming an average lifespan of 80 years, the book calculates that we have approximately 4,000 weeks to live. Burkeman argues against the modern fixation on productivity and efficiency, instead advocating for embracing the limits of time and prioritizing what truly matters. The book draws on insights from ancient and contemporary philosophers, psychologists, and spiritual teachers to help readers construct a more meaningful life by accepting and working within the constraints of time. It addresses issues such as the efficiency trap, the pitfalls of convenience culture, and the importance of living in the present while acknowledging the unpredictability of the future[3][4][5].

The Almanack of Naval Ravikant

A Guide to Wealth and Happiness

Naval Ravikant

Eric Jorgenson

Tim Ferriss

The Almanack of Naval Ravikant is a compilation of Naval's thoughts on fundamental principles for happiness, wealth creation, decision-making, and personal growth. The book distills his insights from the last ten years into practical advice, guiding readers on how to walk their own unique path toward a happier, wealthier life. It emphasizes the importance of compound interest, leveraging resources, and productizing oneself. The book also delves into key aspects of life, including relationships, health, and purpose, offering a holistic approach to wealth and happiness.

The paradox of choice

Why More Is Less

Barry Schwartz

In 'The Paradox of Choice,' Barry Schwartz argues that the abundance of choices in modern Western society, while seemingly beneficial, can actually be detrimental to our psychological and emotional well-being. He explains how the explosion in choices, from mundane decisions like buying jeans to profound challenges like balancing career and family, has paradoxically become a problem rather than a solution. Schwartz synthesizes current research in social sciences to make the counterintuitive case that eliminating choices can reduce stress, anxiety, and busyness. He offers practical steps to limit choices, focus on important ones, and derive greater satisfaction from decision-making. The book also introduces the concepts of 'maximizers' and 'satisficers,' highlighting the differences in their decision-making processes and outcomes.

The Psychology of Money

Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness

Morgan Housel

In 'The Psychology of Money,' Morgan Housel delves into the psychological and emotional aspects of financial decisions. The book consists of 19 short stories that illustrate how personal history, worldview, emotions, and biases influence financial outcomes. Housel emphasizes the importance of behavior over knowledge in managing money, highlighting the power of compounding, the dangers of greed, and the pursuit of happiness beyond mere wealth accumulation. He advocates for a frugal lifestyle, long-term perspective, and a balanced approach to investing, stressing that financial success is more about mindset and discipline than about technical financial knowledge[2][3][4].

The Beginning of Infinity

Explanations That Transform the World

David Deutsch

In this groundbreaking book, David Deutsch argues that explanations have a fundamental place in the universe and that improving them is the basic regulating principle of all successful human endeavor. The book takes readers on a journey through various fields of science, history of civilization, art, moral values, and the theory of political institutions. Deutsch explains how we form new explanations and drop bad ones, and discusses the conditions under which progress, which he argues is potentially boundless, can and cannot happen. He emphasizes the importance of good explanations, which he defines as those that are 'hard to vary' and have 'reach', and argues that these explanations are central to the Enlightenment way of thinking and to all scientific and philosophical progress.

The Parasitic Mind

How Infectious Ideas Are Killing Common Sense

\"Gad Saad\"

In 'The Parasitic Mind,' Dr. Gad Saad exposes the harmful effects of 'idea pathogens'—irrational and logically flawed ideas that are spreading through universities and enforced by the tyranny of political correctness. These ideas, Saad argues, are endangering fundamental freedoms such as freedom of thought and speech. The book is a call to action, encouraging readers to use critical thinking and courage to defend reason and intellectual freedom. Saad discusses various topics including university 'safe spaces,' gender ideology, postmodernism, and the decline of intellectual diversity in academia, all while advocating for the importance of questioning and challenging prevailing dogma[1][3][4].

Getting Things Done

David Allen

Getting Things Done (GTD) is a personal productivity system developed by David Allen. The book provides a detailed methodology for managing tasks, projects, and information, emphasizing the importance of capturing all tasks and ideas, clarifying their meaning, organizing them into actionable lists, reviewing the system regularly, and engaging in the tasks. The GTD method is designed to reduce stress and increase productivity by externalizing tasks and using a trusted system to manage them. The book is divided into three parts, covering the overview of the system, its implementation, and the deeper benefits of integrating GTD into one's work and life[2][3][5].

I will teach you to be rich

Ramit Sethi

This book, updated for a new era, provides a simple and powerful 6-week program to manage finances. Ramit Sethi focuses on behavioral psychology to help readers save more, earn more, and automate their finances. Key lessons include focusing on big wins rather than small savings, automating financial tasks, and spending guilt-free on things you love while cutting back on unnecessary expenses. The book also covers topics like crushing debt, setting up high-interest bank accounts, and long-term investing in index funds.

Atomic Habits

James Clear

Atomic Habits by James Clear provides a practical and scientifically-backed guide to forming good habits and breaking bad ones. The book introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. It also emphasizes the importance of small, incremental changes (atomic habits) that compound over time to produce significant results. Clear discusses techniques such as habit stacking, optimizing the environment to support desired habits, and focusing on continuous improvement rather than goal fixation. The book is filled with actionable strategies, real-life examples, and stories from various fields, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their habits and achieve personal growth[2][4][5].