There are really only two reasons to set a goal: instrumental reasons and experiential reasons. When you set a goal for instrumental reasons, it is because the object of the goal will improve your happiness, lifestyle or contribute to some larger purpose. For example, if you’re incredibly overweight, changing your lifestyle may add several years […]
I’m Reopening My Rapid Learning Tactics Program
The last time it was open, it sold out in 36 minutes. That is Learning on Steroids, a monthly program I run for training rapid learning tactics. In just over a week, I’ll be accepting a new round of members. Unfortunately, like last time, space is limited and you will only have a few days […]
Does Thinking About the Ideal Life Actually Lead to Living One?
“The unexamined life is not worth living.” – Socrates Do introspective, intelligent people enjoy life more than the masses? Often not. Ben Casnocha wrote this after the death of David Foster Wallace. Awarded the MacArthur genius grant, Wallace was brilliant, but unfortunately, as Casnocha writes: Wallace’s suicide raises for me the question about the correlation […]
Society Doesn’t Care that You’re Good at World of Warcraft
I’ve had a few recent email conversations about the subject of passion. We usually agree that passion is important, people have initial interests that guide them towards a passion and that passions develop over time. However, then I bring up what I believe is an equally important point: society needs to recognize, reward and value […]
I'm a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, podcast host, computer programmer and an avid reader. Since 2006, I've published weekly essays on this website to help people like you learn and think better. My work has been featured in The New York Times, BBC, TEDx, Pocket, Business Insider and more. I don't promise I have all the answers, just a place to start.