Opinionated Takes
Important or Not
My honest takes on what actually matters and what's just noise. Agree or disagree - that's the point.
Reading books
ImportantPersonal Growth
Books are compressed wisdom from people who spent years thinking about problems. One good book can change your entire trajectory. Podcasts and articles are fine, but deep reading builds different mental muscles.
Having a morning routine
Not ImportantProductivity
The obsession with 5am wake-ups and cold plunges is mostly performance. What matters is doing important work consistently. Some people work best at midnight. Find what works for you.
Who you spend time with
ImportantRelationships
You become the average of the five people you spend the most time with. This isn't just a cliche - it's observable. Ambitious people make you more ambitious. Cynics make you more cynical. Choose wisely.
Going to university
DependsEducation
For medicine, law, or engineering - essential. For most other things? The network and credential matter less each year. The opportunity cost of four years and $100k+ is real. Learn what you actually need.
Inbox zero
Not ImportantProductivity
Email management is not a real accomplishment. Most emails don't need responses. The important ones find their way to you. Spending hours organizing your inbox is procrastination disguised as productivity.
Sleep quality
ImportantHealth
Everything is downstream of sleep. Decision-making, creativity, mood, physical health, willpower. People who brag about sleeping four hours are borrowing from their future selves. Protect your sleep.
Following the news daily
Not ImportantInformation
99% of news is noise designed to keep you anxious and clicking. The truly important events will reach you regardless. Weekly or monthly summaries give you the same understanding with 95% less time and anxiety.
Saying no
ImportantLife Skills
Every yes is a no to something else. Your time is finite. Most successful people got there partly by being ruthless about what they don't do. Protect your calendar like your life depends on it - because your best life does.
Social media presence
DependsCareer
If you're building a personal brand or business, it's leverage. If you're consuming mindlessly, it's a trap. The question isn't whether to use it, but whether you're the product or the producer.
Physical exercise
ImportantHealth
Not for the aesthetics (though that's fine). For the mental clarity, energy, confidence, and longevity. The ROI on 30 minutes of daily movement is absurd. Your brain works better when your body moves.
Optimizing every meal
Not ImportantHealth
Tracking every macro, avoiding every "bad" food, never eating out. The stress of perfectionism probably does more damage than the occasional pizza. Eat mostly real food, enjoy occasional treats, move on.
Having difficult conversations
ImportantRelationships
The conversation you're avoiding is usually the one you most need to have. Unspoken resentments compound. Clear is kind. Short-term discomfort prevents long-term relationship decay.
Networking events
DependsCareer
Forced networking is mostly awkward card exchanges. But being in rooms with interesting people doing interesting things? That's different. Quality over quantity. One real connection beats fifty LinkedIn requests.
Writing things down
ImportantPersonal Growth
Thinking happens when writing. Ideas in your head are fuzzy; written ideas can be examined and improved. Journaling, note-taking, planning on paper - these aren't optional extras. They're how clear thinking works.
Having the latest tech
Not ImportantLifestyle
The new iPhone is 5% better than last year's. The marginal utility is near zero. Most productivity gains come from how you use tools, not which tools you have. Resist the upgrade treadmill.
Financial literacy
ImportantMoney
Understanding compound interest, tax optimization, and basic investing isn't optional. Money is a tool that amplifies your options. Ignoring how it works doesn't make it go away - it just means others benefit from your ignorance.
Traveling extensively
DependsLifestyle
Travel can expand your worldview or just be expensive Instagram content. Depends on how you do it. Living somewhere for a month teaches you more than a two-week vacation. Depth over breadth.
Having a 5-year plan
Not ImportantPlanning
The world changes too fast for rigid long-term plans. Direction matters more than destination. Have principles, not plans. Know what you're optimizing for, but stay flexible on the path.