Avoid Stupidity

Avoiding Stupidity Is Easier Than Seeking Brilliance by Shane Parrish

Success isn’t always about brilliance—it’s often about avoiding major mistakes.

Play games where you have an edge, and avoid those where you don’t.

In tennis, amateurs win by minimizing errors, not by trying to hit perfect shots like professionals. The same applies to life—winning means not losing.

Charlie Munger said long-term success comes from consistently avoiding stupidity rather than chasing intelligence.

Most of us are amateurs, but we often refuse to follow the winning strategy for amateurs: avoid errors and stay consistent.

In investing, trying to pick the perfect stock often leads to failure, while buying index funds over decades yields extraordinary results.

If you’re outside your expertise, focus on minimizing mistakes.

That approach, over time, is what separates amateurs from pros.

When the 80/20 Rule Fails: The Downside of Being Effective by James Clear

Audrey Hepburn was a star at her peak in the 1960s, but instead of sticking to films, she shifted to service.

She spent 25 years working with UNICEF, helping children in need worldwide.

Her story highlights the difference between efficiency—doing more—and effectiveness—doing what matters most.

As Drucker said, doing the wrong thing efficiently is pointless.

The 80/20 Rule teaches us that a small number of actions produce most results.

Focus on the few that matter. But here’s the catch: it often optimizes for past success, not future growth.

New paths rarely seem efficient at first, like Hepburn’s UNICEF work or Bezos starting Amazon.

Over time, with enough practice, even what seems ineffective can lead to something far greater.

Why Getting Started Is More Important Than Succeeding by James Clear

Lindsay Davenport’s tennis journey taught me that you don’t need to be a pro to learn life’s biggest lessons.

She said hard work, perseverance, and competition were lessons she learned long before turning pro.

We’re often told if we’re not the best, why bother? But that mindset misses the point.

You grow from the process, not the podium. Just showing up and putting in the work is where the real value lies.

Success starts with curiosity and a willingness to try.

Whether it’s stepping into a gym, starting a business, or asking a question, it’s about having the courage to begin, not worrying about being the best.

Life isn’t a practice round. You don’t need to be in the spotlight to live fully. You just need to play.