how do you want to spend your days?
"You probably don't want maximum effectiveness.
For example, the most effective way to make money likely requires a lifestyle you don't want to live. Instead, you want the most effective path that fits your desired lifestyle.
How do you want to spend your days? Start there, then optimize." — James Clear
hey there,
it’s been a while and i want to dive in with what has been on my mind most recently. i’ve been reading what some would consider a controversial book: Walter Isaacson’s new book, “Elon Musk”. Musk is most recently controversial because of his support for an anti-semitic post on X that caused the likes of Disney and IBM to stop advertising on X.
i disagree that the book itself is controversial. it’s a mistake to not read about history, including about those who had a strong influence on it. that said, i find his actions repulsive, and that made me read the book slower.
Musk falls in the category of Steve Jobs, Benjamin Franklin, and Leonardo do Vinci, all of whom Walter Isaacson has written about. reading these biographies exposes you to both the strengths and weaknesses of these icons.
one thing i adored in one of the many brief chapters was a story about how Elon was the most daring among his brother and cousins, characteristically walking up to a loud group in a movie theatre who are much older than him, and telling them to “shush.“
“It’s a big theme for him to never have his decisions guided by fear“
i also found it incredible that at age eight, he tried to convince his father to buy him a motorcycle. he would stand next to his father’s chair and make his case over, and over. when his father picked up a newspaper and ordered him to be quiet, he would continue to stand there silently, then resume his argument. this happened for weeks. then his father caved in and got him a blue and gold 50cc Yamaha.
But at this point, we start to digress from my adoration and agreement. Is it really okay to bother people in a way that clearly annoys them just to get your way? even if your way is to bring a sustainable energy future? or to make humans multi-planetary?
i love an important question that Isaacson raises in one of the chapters. he asks if the unemotional, detached, and ruthless (aka ***hole) natures of Jobs and Musk which did spread into their personal lives, were necessary for their visionary and world-moving impact? Isaacson does not answer this question, even after writing biographies on both Musk and Jobs.
i took a lesson from that. A lesson I’ve been learning after moving to SF for work.
how do you want to spend your days?
when I ask this question I mean it in the most literary and detailed sense: where and when do you wake up? what is the first thing you get up to? what people do you spend that time with? and how do you treat them?
the reason it’s important to ask these questions is because 1) there are tradeoffs to the choices we make about how to spend our lives and 2) there really isn’t quite a correct or wrong answer
while Musk has definitely had a bunch of negative impacts and wrongdoings, the importance of the electric car revolution for sustainable energy is obvious. at the same time, the world’s richest man and visionary has incredible drama and dilemmas in his personal life than I would wish on any acquaintance.
on the other end of the spectrum, post-grad life creates an environment without milestones where you can just cruise in your existence without any activation energy to have an impact or significantly improve your conditions. potential unknown and likely wasted.
we’ve grown up believing that having balance and doing things in moderation is the answer to these dicey questions — balance your quest for success with maintaining your health, body, and relationships.
what has also helped in addition to balance is information and action.
learn about the actual tradeoffs that come with the lifestyle you aspire to. watch your role models! watch the boss 4-5 years ahead of you.
and finally, the surest way to discover your ideal day is to try every single day to create it. one piece at a time.
i have some updates. this newsletter is undergoing some renovation, especially in the name. i have a choice and concept i’d love to run by you. reply below or message me on another platform so i can get your take.