It’s a bit hard to pin down The Almanack of Naval Ravikant. This short book, which is composed of Twitter storms, is like one man’s wisdom in an espresso shot.

It’s hard to write a note on this book, either. In ten years’ time, if I come back to this book again, my understanding might be very different.

I wonder how I can make this post more valuable other than saying, “Just read it.” It’s not the kind of book that you can read for entertainment. It’s more for contemplation and inner reflection.

As usual, I will share some of my biggest learnings. As usual, if you feel intrigued, do read the original book. It’s a good practice to not rely on secondhand information too much.

Learn to love to read

Just like the best workout for you is one you’re excited enough to do every day, I would say for books, blogs, tweets, or whatever—anything with ideas and information and learning—the best ones to read are the ones you’re excited about reading all the time.

You almost have to read the stuff you’re reading, because you’re into it. You don’t need any other reason. There’s no mission here to accomplish. Just read because you enjoy it.

Reading a book isn’t a race—the better the book, the more slowly it should be absorbed.

Like Naval, I’m also an introvert who has “lost in the world of words and ideas from an early age.” Luckily, I was born into a book-rich family, and no one ever forced me to read certain things. Reading is like play for me. As a single child, I made a lot of good friends in the books.

Sometimes, I encounter people who are struggling to cultivate a reading habit. The questions often start with which books to pick, “Should I read something more practical or something I’m more interested in?”

Different books speak to different people. My only criterion when it comes to selecting books is my current interest. Selecting books is like making friends. Do you want to befriend the “most popular people out there” or someone who can provide wisdom and guidance?

The best design books I have read were published years ago. They are not on Amazon's top-selling list, but they provide clear foundational knowledge. When comes to a more practical goal such as learning design, try to build a good solid foundational knowledge. These are the ones that will not change across the company or industry. Then, build project-related knowledge on top of it.

Most of the time, I just follow my inner curiosity. A rule of thumb is to pick the ones that you naturally have respect for. The ones you feel will make you a bit wiser. What you read will inevitably become part of your thoughts, and your thoughts will determine your future. Choose carefully.

Ultimately, a good reading experience is based on mutual connection. If you can’t find the connection, just drop it.

Find and build specific knowledge

Most of life is a search for who and what needs you the most. If you’re not already good at it or if you’re not really into it, maybe it’s not your thing—focus on the thing that you are really into.

Specific knowledge is knowledge you cannot be trained for. If society can train you, it can train someone else and replace you.

Specific knowledge is found much more by pursuing your innate talents, your genuine curiosity, and your passion. It’s not by going to school for whatever is the hottest job; it’s not by going into whatever field investors say is the hottest.

With the rapid development of AI, many designers, writers, and developers are worried about being replaced. When facing this kind of challenge, in addition to the outward actions we can take, such as learning AI, the more important part is seeking within.

Every loss is an opportunity for a new beginning. When an old identity fades, a new one emerges. We all come to the world with some innate talents, something we are naturally into when we are kids, and we can do well almost effortlessly. For me, the first and foremost was writing. Then drawing, which eventually led to design.

I became a professional writer without any formal training. I was often asked how to become good at writing. I couldn’t give you an online course except to encourage you to read more, for everything I learned came naturally. I read, then I write, and that’s it. It’s just my way of expressing myself, like talking to a friend authentically.

I think a lot of really good designers are like this as well. They just become good designers in an organic way. No one can really teach you how to become a good designer except your genuine curiosity. If you are curious, then everything can teach you how to design better.

If we are all out of jobs due to AI, something else will emerge from us. The creativity within us will never be replaced by AI. We will find a new way, maybe a new way of living.

Play long-term games with long-term people

When it comes to the goal-oriented life, only about 1 percent of the efforts you made paid off. I’m not saying don’t do the 99 percent, because it’s very hard to identify what the 1 percent is. What I’m saying is: when you find the 1 percent of your discipline which will not be wasted, which you’ll be able to invest in for the rest of your life and has meaning to you—go all-in and forget about the rest.

In a long-term game, it’s positive sum. We’re all baking the pie together. We’re trying to make it as big as possible. And in a short-term game, we’re cutting up the pie.

Trying to build business relationships well in advance of doing business is a complete waste of time. I have a much more comfortable philosophy: “Be a maker who makes something interesting people want. Show your craft, practice your craft, and the right people will eventually find you.”

“It’s very hard to identify what the 1 percent is.” Steve Jobs said something similar, “You've got to find what you love, and don't settle.” I have been on the quest for a while. I promised myself whatever profession I’m getting into, it must start with love. Arts, writing, and design all follow this rule. I’m still on the quest, and I haven’t settled yet.

I think life’s learnings are from trial and error. Over time, I began to realize that 1% is not out there but actually buried deeply within each person. The worldly experience we are having now is like soap. When all the dust and mud are cleaned away, the gold within will appear itself. Until then, the best we can do is keep cleaning.

In my career life, I have been fortunate to meet and work with many high-integrity people. They play win-win and support each other. Any one side relationship will not last for long. If you are able to think for the other side and try to achieve mutual benefit, the relationship will last much longer. The smaller the ego, the better the relationship.

I also agree with Naval’s point on “networking.” Becoming a good designer might not be easy, but it is definitely simple —— keep designing, keep showing.

Decision making

If you can’t decide, the answer is no.

If you find yourself creating a spreadsheet for a decision with a list of yes’s and no’s, pros and cons, checks and balances, why this is good or bad…forget it. If you cannot decide, the answer is no.

When you choose something, you get locked in for a long time. Starting a business may take ten years. You start a relationship that will be five years or maybe more. You move to a city for ten to twenty years. These are very, very long-lived decisions. It’s very, very important we only say yes when we are pretty certain. You’re never going to be absolutely certain, but you’re going to be very certain.

I laughed loudly when I first came across this advice. It’s such a relief to me as someone who is not good at saying no. Have you ever created a spreadsheet to help you make decisions? I did. I actually learned that technique from business class.

I think the original purpose of the spreadsheet is to help us put emotions aside and to rely on logic more. But when I recall the biggest decisions in my life, such as leaving my stable job in Shanghai and moving to New York, I was pretty certain before I opened the Excel. I was merely using the spreadsheet to convince my mind that it was a logical decision.

I think it’s time for us to trust ourselves more, not tools, not outside pressure.

Final thoughts

There are a lot of business and wealth books out there, longer and more hands-on. There are a lot of spiritual books out there, sharper and deeper. But a smooth combination of business, wealth, and spirituality is rare.

Just like Naval pointed out, “The better the book, the more slowly it should be absorbed.” Take your time, and hope this book can accompany you for a long time.

Some of my other favorite quotes:

Escape competition through authenticity. Basically, when you’re competing with people, it’s because you’re copying them. It’s because you’re trying to do the same thing. But every human is different. Don’t copy.

Knowledge only you know or only a small set of people knows is going to come out of your passions and your hobbies, oddly enough. If you have hobbies around your intellectual curiosity, you’re more likely to develop these passions. If it entertains you now but will bore you someday, it’s a distraction. Keep looking.

Follow your intellectual curiosity more than whatever is “hot” right now. If your curiosity ever leads you to a place where society eventually wants to go, you’ll get paid extremely well.

Foundations are key. It’s much better to be at 9/10 or 10/10 on foundations than to try and get super deep into things.

I think the meaning of life is to do things for their own sake. By doing things for their own sake, I did them at their best.

We are highly judgmental survival-and-replication machines. We constantly walk around thinking, “I need this,” or “I need that,” trapped in the web of desires. Happiness is the state when nothing is missing. When nothing is missing, your mind shuts down and stops running into the past or future to regret something or to plan something.

The idea you’re going to change something in the outside world, and that is going to bring you the peace, everlasting joy, and happiness you deserve, is a fundamental delusion we all suffer from, including me. The mistake over and over and over is to say, “Oh, I’ll be happy when I get that thing,” whatever it is. That is the fundamental mistake we all make, 24/7, all day long.

Desire is a contract you make with yourself to be unhappy until you get what you want.

The only way to actually get peace on the inside is by giving up this idea of problems.