Tonight, I had dinner with the Father of one of my best friends from childhood, a truly wise man. The lessons he shared resonated deeply with me.
- The Value of Relationships: Reflecting on life, it’s clear relationships matter more than any amount of money. Picture this: on their deathbed, no one ever says, “If only I’d spent more time with my bank account.” Instead, they’re thinking about their loved ones. Relationships are the real treasures, and the IRS can’t tax those — yet.
- Entrepreneurship: One of the coolest perks of entrepreneurship is creating jobs for others. It’s like being Santa, but with paychecks instead of presents. Hearing this from a man with a successful career was inspiring. Who wouldn’t want to be the Santa of employment?
- Time Horizon for Goals: Setting a three-year time horizon for your vision and goals is solid advice. Think of it like a crockpot for success — slow and steady, and by the end, you’ve got something deliciously achieved. Just remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, but it did have a project timeline.
- Adversity and Competition: Adversity fosters resilience and innovation. It’s like life’s boot camp, minus the camouflage and shouting drill sergeants. Overcoming challenges can drive significant value for the world. Who knew getting knocked down could be so good for you? It’s like falling into a vat of innovation, and emerging stronger and smarter.
- Communism: Communism is detrimental. This might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s worth mentioning. Like that “free pizza” in the breakroom — sounds good until you realize there’s a catch, and it’s usually anchovies.
AI and Abundance: The other insight from tonight was about AI. The biggest risk isn’t AI turning us into human pancakes; it’s making us too comfortable. Imagine a world with no scarcity — people could become as soft as marshmallows. When everyone’s basic needs are met, we can focus on higher-order stuff. No one is obsessing over racism when they’re starving. It’s only because we can provide food that people today can discuss the challenges and pitfalls of being racist. It’s a luxurious problem, really.
In Conclusion, these are five solid rules to keep in mind as I navigate this life, with a bonus thought about AI keeping us on our toes — or rather, off them if we’re not careful. Remember, wisdom doesn’t always have to be serious; sometimes, a little humor helps the medicine go down.
