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​Short-term vs Long-term

Humans have evolved to think short-term.
Because that worked for us when we were cavemen and women.
Thinking of the next meal was far more important than thinking of the next year.
Killing animals for survival was far more important than befriending them.
Reacting instantly in the face of danger ensured the tribe went ahead.

So, it is understandable that our brains have evolved to value short term vs long term.
What made this preference even stronger was that in the last 100 years or so, the pleasure provided by short-term actions has significantly exceeded the gains of long-term actions.

It is far more pleasurable to eat that pizza, chocolate, or drink that soda or beer right now, than to eat right for a healthy tomorrow.
It is far more pleasurable to watch TV, YouTube or Netflix right now, than to read a book that takes time and effort.
It is far more pleasurable to engage in one-night-stands, than to work hard on a relationship for the long term.

Right now >> Tomorrow

Which leads to the question - what are some ways to think long-term - when everything long-term is relatively hard?

In my opinion, here are the 5 long term decisions, that have the highest impact on one's life.

1. Who do you decide to spend your life with​
   This is perhaps the single biggest decision you will take that will determine your emotional, physical and financial well being.
   Do not rush into it. Do not be consumed by just the exterior.
   Fall in love with the mind just as much as you fall in love with the face.
2. The people you choose to work with​
   It is not the nature of work that is as important as the kind of people you work with.
   Do not work with those whom you cannot see yourself working with for atleast 10 years.
   Do not work with those whose value system is not aligned with yours.
3. What you do with your money​
   Most of us are not born rich. But we aspire to get rich.
   And the best way to ensure that is to invest.
   Take it from someone who is 44 - if you get rich by the time you are 40, it will be the best use of your money and time.
   Do not be in a hurry to get rich. Instead, be in a hurry to start investing.
4. What you choose to eat​
   Junk food tastes so good because it is bad for you!
   Getting used to healthy food - high protein, high carb, high fiber, low fat - takes time.
   But if you don't start, you will never get used to it.
5. What content do you consume​
   Earlier, we used to spend time with people. Today, we spend time with content.
   And that content shapes our thinking.
   Do you watch content that makes you feel dumb, poor, ugly and worthless - or do you consume content that makes you feel smart, worthy, inspired and courageous?

These 5 are not new.
But they are important reminders.
Scoring well on all of these isn't easy, but is possible.

Start with a current score (1-5, 5 being best) for each one.
Say your score is 2,3,4,2,3
Pick the one closest to 5 - and make it 5.
Take your time - no matter how long it takes.
Then the next. Then the next.
If you get to a 5,5,5,5,5 in 2-4 years - that is MASSIVE.
2-4 years will seem a lot, but in the context of your life, it is less than 5% of your entire life.
It is like spending Rs. 5 in such a way that the remaining Rs. 95 are incredible!

Start today.
And thank me in 5 years :)

Book I read this week

Did not pick up a new book.
We are traveling, and I wanted to focus 100% on that.
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In the meantime, here is a list of all books I have shared in this newsletter since Day 1.
​A list of all of them can be found here.

Question of the week

Score yourself on the long-term quality of your life (scale of 1-5, 5 being the best)

• Who do you decide to spend your life with
• The people you choose to work with
• What you do with your money
• What you choose to eat
• What content do you consume

(and see the results of others, too)

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Results of last week's question

When young, who we travel with matters.
As we age, who we meet matters more.
Isn't it amazing though, that the people aspect is nearly 70-80% of what makes for a joyful vacation?
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​My response?​
For me - it is the culture, history, people.

3-2-1
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3 pics from last week

We are in Germany for a vacation. Some pics from there.
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The Allianze Arena in Munich, where Vidur and I saw Germany vs Portugal play in the semi-finals of the Nations League (and yes, we saw Ronaldo as well!)

The city library of Stuttgart - fascinating building and completely free!

Right outside the Porsche Museum. Visited the BMW and Mercedes Benz Museum as well - Mercedes was the absolute best.

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2 quotes I wish to share

Don’t use AI to create.
Use it only to elevate!

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Only in finding himself did he see - the work he fled from was the very work meant for him.

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1 new thing I learnt this week

The Reticular Activating System (RAS) is a network of neurons located in the brainstem that plays a crucial role in attention, arousal, and conscious awareness. It filters sensory input, allowing only important information to reach conscious awareness.

It's why you can ignore background noise in a café but instantly notice when someone says your name.

In schizophrenia, this filtering system often malfunctions, leading to sensory overload or misinterpretation of internal thoughts as external voices.
So basically, your own thoughts sound like someone else telling you something.
That is super scary!

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🎙️ My top content from last week
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📹 YouTube:​ Complete Mutual Fund Guide​

📱 Instagram: Long distance relationship​

🐥 Twitter: The best tennis match final imo​

🎧 Podcast: Predictions​

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You can, of course, always write to me by simply replying to this newsletter.

I love reading all your emails, even though I may not be able to reply to them all.
Yes! I READ ALL MY EMAILS. ALL OF THEM.​
​(Desh ke bahar travel karte hi Indian khaane ko miss karne ki kasam)

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