Originally read in 10/11/2025, but each reread provides a new state of principles to focus on at this moment. Here are some of the new ones six months later :)
- Environment matters a lot; move to where you flourish maximally. Put yourself in environments where you have to perform to your utmost; if you can get by being average, you probably will.
This is probably one that I've thought heavily about over the past year as I go into post-grad life. What environment do I want to be in? How can I maximize my growth - this being through jobs and also other life activities? Maybe this also relates to a much broader existential crisis of who do I want to be? Maybe that in and of itself is not the right question to ask just yet.
- The world is a museum of passion projects.
Still one of my favorite principles. Originally from [here](https://x.com/collision/status/1529452415346302976). The idea that humans have made, and continue to make, so many things of our world means that any one of us can too.
- Pay attention to your production/consumption balance. If you’re only consuming and not producing, fix that.
- You don’t do anyone any favors by lurking, put yourself out there!
- Be honest about whether something is learning or entertainment. Real learning is extremely hard and effortful. (Podcasts, Atlantic articles, pop science books, anything that’s a bit too digestible is more “entertainment” than real learning).
- Scrolling and reading too much drowns out your inner voice.
All of these revolving around the same theme. And yet probably the hardest ones for me to conquer. I've never been good at [having original thoughts](https://feifeiwrites.substack.com/p/you-share-other-peoples-thoughts) so consuming and lurking seem to be a safeguard.
- You are probably too risk-averse. Write out the worst things that can happen, realize they’re not that bad, then take the leap.
I probably am. This also relates to 13 and 14.
- Form opinions on things and then find the strongest critique of those opinions. Repeat.
Similar to having original thoughts. Learning to think critically of the things that people say is a skill that can be learned. One that I've been trying to practice too.
- Send more cold emails. People respond! Assume everyone’s your friend.
I really love this one, but it seems naturally hard. Especially when surrounded by the great privilege of being around some of the smartest people every day, it feels like you need to have a value to give back. But maybe this principle contradicts that and tells you that you really don't need to have something in return but just insight and thoughtfulness.
- Figure out what gives you new ideas, and make sure you incorporate that into your routine. For me this is talking to people, tweeting, writing in my notebook, long conversations with friends (especially late night or while walking). For other people this is showering, baths, long walks, runs, etc. Make sure you “harvest” these ideas too, i.e. write them down somewhere so they don’t get lost.
I remember I saw a rather similar idea when watching a podcast with Sara Blakely where she said that she gets her best ideas when driving around aimlessly. For me, finding more ways to have empty time to "think" has been a recent privilege - yet making that productive is another type of challenge.
- Luck isn’t a constant, it increases with surface area: be in the right places, have lots of conversations, put yourself out there, ask for what you want and be optimistic and positive.
Increase your surface area and luck follows. Similar to a ton of his other principles where writing more, emailing more, avoiding lurking, all of these lead to getting your thoughts out there.
