picture of the book

The Almanack of Naval Ravikant by Eric Jorgensen

Rating: 5-Star

Date read:

🚀 The Book in 3 Sentences

  1. A compilation of lessons and ideas held by Naval Ravikant on how to build wealth and be happy
  2. On wealth: explains quickly how to build wealth one needs equity, discipline and consistency (more or less). Learning is key, and taking action is key.
  3. On happiness: takes a combined approach of eastern values, mostly from the Indian subcontinent. Combined with a typical western rationalism (or essentially, breaking things down to essentials that hold to be logical)
  4. A guide on happiness and wealth

🎨 Impressions

I liked the book more than I thought. It was very easy to read and go through. The happiness part and the books - algorithms part I found the most interesting. It resonated a lot with hat my parents believe in but frames it in a way that I’m more comofrotable with. Outside of “cultism” and focus on individual logic.

It is very well written and showcases a lot of values I already believed in. I would love to read it again and really distill the main learnings chapter by chapter.

But I like the approach that everyone is in control of how you react to certain things. Reminds me of the stoic approach.

Overall good light read.

How I Discovered It

It was recommended by Audible. Foreword by Tim Ferris caught my attention and he’s been a guest in the Tim Ferris show before. I found it interesting and just went with it

Who Should Read It?

If you are interested in philosophy this is a good book. It shows interesting essentials on stoic principles and other more eastern values that I believe are key to a balanced life

☘️ How the Book Changed Me

  • It reminded me that my parents have a bigger impact on my frame of thought than I knew
  • The eastern philosophy is good. And it gives balance and perspective
  • I really like the algorithms because they simplify the important things into essentials. Is nothing new but is a great reminder and a good mental model

✍️ My Top 3 Quotes

  • Happiness = wealth + health + great relationships
  • Find work the feels like play
  • Use the inspiration to get started. Everything else comes down to the systems you build
  • Collect mental models
  • Networking is not useful. Be a maker that makes interesting things and the right people will come
  • Be patient: generally great ppl have great outcomes
    • Capable, smart, dedication
    • You need a long enough time scale and it happens
    • Takes time but it will come
  • The only way to truly learn something, is by doing it. Listen to guidance but don’t wait
  • To be wealthy, get very good at selling or at building.

📒 Summary + Notes

Types of luck:

  1. Blind luck
  2. Luck through persistence, hard work, hustle and motion
  3. Good at spotting luck → know when a lucky break is happening in a field
  4. Building a brand that makes luck find you (if you have a skill or something that attracts opportunities to you)