Podcast Summary
Exploring the true nature of action: When we prioritize reality and take right action, we become more discerning, consistent, and effective in overcoming resistance, leading to a more fulfilling life.
Action is more than just doing something; it's about prioritizing reality and taking right action. Art of Manliness contributor Kyle Eschenroder explored this philosophy in his popular ebook, "Meditations on the Wisdom of Action," which was based on his earlier piece on the site. Instead of viewing action as a raw, motivational exhortation, Kyle delved deeper to understand its true nature. He discovered that when we take right action, we become more discerning and consistent, and it becomes easier to overcome internal and external resistance. The result is a more fulfilling and effective approach to life. If you're feeling unmotivated or stuck, consider shifting your perspective through the lens of action and prioritizing the reality of your goals. For more insights and resources, check out the show notes at aewim.is-action and consider purchasing Kyle's book, "The Pocket Guide to Action: 116 Meditations on the Art of Doing."
Focus on doing over explaining: Action leads to growth and living effectively, despite immediate costs and delayed benefits, while inaction results in decay and depression with hidden long-term costs.
Prioritizing action over explanation leads to more effective living and growth. This means focusing on doing things, even if it means being passive in certain situations, rather than constantly seeking to understand or justify. The costs of action are immediate and measurable, while the benefits are often delayed and less tangible. In contrast, the costs of inaction, such as decay and depression, are delayed and difficult to measure, making it easier to fall into a pattern of inaction despite its long-term negative consequences. It's important to recognize the value of taking action, even if the benefits aren't immediately apparent, and to be aware of the hidden costs of inaction.
Trick yourself into taking small steps towards tasks: Starting with the smallest action can help overcome initial discomfort and lead to motivation and continued effort
Motivation often follows action, not the other way around. When faced with tasks we don't feel like doing, it can be helpful to trick ourselves into taking small steps towards them. By committing to the smallest possible action, we set ourselves up for success and make it more difficult to retreat. Once we've taken that first step, we often find that we enjoy the experience and feel motivated to continue. This approach can be applied to various aspects of life, such as exercise or cold showers, where the initial discomfort can be overcome with consistent effort.
Balance learning from experience and learning from others: Avoid terrible experiences by learning from others, but also gain essential experiences and learn from mistakes to achieve success
A successful approach to learning and achieving goals involves a balance between gaining firsthand experience and learning from the mistakes of others. While experiencing things firsthand can provide deep understanding, it's also important to learn from the experiences of others to avoid making the same mistakes. As Charlie Munger, Warren Buffett's investment partner, famously said, "All I want to know is where I'm going to die. So I'll never go there." This negative approach to life can help us avoid terrible things and lead to a good life. However, there are some experiences that are essential to truly understanding a concept, and it's worth making mistakes in these areas. For example, when transitioning from paper trading to real money, it's necessary to make similar mistakes with real money to understand the psychological effects and adapt accordingly. Ultimately, a successful approach involves a balance between learning from experience and learning from the experiences of others.
Exploring mistakes for learning's sake: Making intentional mistakes for learning and automating/eliminating future actions are keys to effective time management.
Making mistakes is an essential part of learning, especially when dealing with other people's money. It's important to be smart about these mistakes and make them for the right reasons at the right time. This approach, as the speaker suggests, is similar to Aristotle's idea of moderation. In practice, theory and experience differ, and it's necessary to explore new experiences to fully understand concepts. Another key idea is the importance of leveraged actions. These are actions that automate or eliminate the need for future actions. Creating habits and shaping environments are examples of actions that automate future behaviors. For instance, subscribing to a meal delivery service can help establish the habit of cooking at home. Eliminating future actions can be achieved through experiments and hiring. By closely monitoring the results of an experiment, one can minimize repetition of unsuccessful actions. Similarly, hiring someone to perform a task can eliminate the need for future actions related to that task. In essence, the speaker encourages prioritizing leveraged actions and making mistakes as part of the learning process. By automating or eliminating future actions, one can focus on more important tasks and make the most of their time and resources.
Be Proactive: Prioritize Actions and Engage with Purpose: Prioritize actions, engage with purpose, put up constraints to avoid reactivity, and earn the right to do hard things for a more intentional life.
Being proactive instead of reactive is essential for achieving our goals and living a fulfilling life. However, it requires conscious effort and mental bandwidth to resist the urge to react to external stimuli, such as checking our phones first thing in the morning or surfing the web aimlessly. Instead, we should prioritize our actions and engage in them with purpose. Putting up constraints, such as setting specific times to check our emails or limiting our web browsing, can help us avoid reactivity and stay focused on what truly matters. As Ian Bogost argues, it's more effective to put up constraints than to constantly restrain ourselves, as our mental and emotional resources are limited. By being proactive and engaging in purposeful actions, we can earn the right to want to do the hard things and live a more intentional life.
Shape your environment for success: Focus on creating a favorable environment and taking consistent action towards goals. Use tools like apps to limit distractions and consider long-term consequences of actions.
Shaping your environment to make action easier is more effective than relying solely on willpower. By implementing constraints and eliminating distractions, you can streamline your life and get more done. However, it's important to note that predicting probabilities of success can be unreliable, as we are often poor at estimating outcomes. Instead, focus on creating a favorable environment and taking consistent action towards your goals. The use of tools like apps to limit time spent on distracting websites and creating boundaries around technology use can be helpful in shaping your environment. Additionally, consider the long-term consequences of actions, such as the potential health risks of smoking, and use that information to make informed decisions.
Don't let probability paralyze you: Focus on making decisions and taking actions daily to increase chances of success, and embrace the power of action to create momentum and attract support.
Probability should not be used as an excuse to avoid taking action or pursuing goals, such as starting a business. While statistics can provide insight into general trends, they do not account for individual circumstances, skills, and determination. As Peter Thiel says, "You are not a lottery ticket." Instead, focus on making decisions and taking actions every day to increase your chances of success. Additionally, taking action can create a magnetic effect, leading to passion, courage, and even attracting external support. This idea is similar to Steven Pressfield's concept of resistance and the importance of overcoming it through action. So, rather than being paralyzed by the odds, embrace the power of action and the potential assistance it can bring.
The power of taking action: Taking action, even with uncertainty, can lead to unexpected benefits and new perspectives. Focusing on execution over abstract concepts can lead to a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Taking action, no matter how small or uncertain, can lead to hidden benefits and new perspectives. People are more likely to help those who are confidently taking action, and the world around us can change in unexpected ways when we do. However, there are also questions that can hinder us from taking action, such as those related to happiness, purpose, and love. These questions can be unanswerable or distracting, and focusing on action instead can lead to a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment. As the author suggests, life is more about execution than abstract concepts, and true purpose is often discovered through focused action.
Action is the answer to life's deepest questions: Focusing on taking action can help us find meaning in life, avoid getting lost in abstract thoughts, and live in the present.
Action is the key to answering life's deepest questions and finding meaning. Love, the meaning of life, and personal purpose are not abstract concepts that can be easily answered through logic alone. Instead, they are demonstrated through the actions we take every day. Action makes life harder and easier; it presents challenges but also brings engagement, commitment, and a more alive experience. By focusing on taking action, we can avoid getting lost in abstract thoughts and instead live in the present, answer life's expectations, and find meaning in the simple, specific moments of our lives.
Practicing Self-Reliance with 'The Pocket Guide for Action': To become self-reliant, face challenges and pressures with less harm to self and society. Check out 'The Pocket Guide for Action' and 'The Action Course' for practical steps.
Becoming self-reliant involves facing harder challenges and external pressures, but with less self-harm and disregard for societal obligations. Kyle and Brett have put this philosophy into practice with their new book, "The Pocket Guide for Action," available for pre-order on The Art of Manliness Store. Additionally, Kyle offers an online course, "The Action Course," which provides practical applications of the book's concepts and resources for further exploration. By taking action and implementing these practices, individuals can begin to develop a habit of taking charge of their lives. To learn more and get started, visit theactioncourse.com. Remember, the Art of Manliness Podcast is here to help you become the best version of yourself, so please consider leaving a review on iTunes or Stitcher, or sharing the podcast with a friend. Stay Manly!
