The Almanack of Naval Ravikant | Book Summary & Notes
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Working through and putting together transcripts of podcast interviews, articles, tweets from Naval Ravikant, Eric Jorgenson creates “The Almanack of Naval Ravikant”, a book on wealth, health, happiness, and the examined life.
The book is available (online version for free) at this link.
While there is no specific aim to the book per se, as this is a collection of wisdom from Naval Ravikant, this work provides perspective and invaluable insights on how to navigate life calmly and mindfully.
Divided into two main sections (Wealth and Happiness), the core learning from the book can be summarized as follows:
The examined life is one in which you are relaxed, calm, present, and find meaning in what you do, playing the wealth game, as opposed to status games.
One of the key characteristics of the book that stands out particularly is the unique mix between the Eastern philosophy of living, and the Western-like constant quest for wealth and individualism which characterizes Naval Ravikant.
Building Wealth
“If they can train you to do it, then eventually they will train a computer to do it.”
The definition of wealth according to Naval Ravikant is related to positive-sum games. Wealth is a game in which there is no competition, because wealth is created through authenticity, and an ability to do something which for outside people seems impossible, while actually effortless for you.
Wealth is also a game of independence. “Whenever you can in life, optimize for independence rather than pay.”
“Wealth creation is an evolutionarily recent positive-sum game. Status is an old zero-sum game. Those attacking wealth creation are often just seeking status.”
““Be a maker who makes something interesting people want. Show your craft, practice your craft, and the right people will eventually find you.””
“A calm mind, a fit body, and a house full of love. These things cannot be bought. They must be earned.”
Building Happiness
Happiness corresponds to inner peace and relaxation. There is no such thing as something external that will make us feel happier. Happiness comes from within. In the author’s words:
“A happy person isn’t someone who’s happy all the time. It’s someone who effortlessly interprets events in such a way that they don’t lose their innate peace.”
“Inspiration is perishable. Act on it immediately.”
You can find in depth book notes here.