If you’re trying to achieve something, you should know that there’s no such thing as “trying”. Actions aren’t random. Ever. As far as I’m concerned, we live in the Matrix. I don’t mean this a conspiracy theory. I mean that if we wanted to, we could represent the entire world with a math equation, and by extension a computer program. This doesn’t mean we’re living in one, but it does mean everything about the world around us can be understood with correct amount of data. This means with the right amount of investigation, analysis, and forethought, there is no such thing as trying, only doing.
Most people are not well acquainted with high performance
This isn’t most people’s fault. When it comes to high performance, most people only know someone who’s managed to do better than 80-90% of people. This might sound great, but the top 1,3, and 5% of people are in their own world. They, quite obviously, rare. High performance is a big deal, but true excellence is rare and requires a different level of effort and strategy. This is why many people view success as taking shots.
Most people have never tried nor failed at anything
Once you understand this fact, you will realize that most people have never actually tried or failed at anything, because most people haven’t made a good enough effort. This isn’t even their fault. Most people set their sights far too low. They never even get a shot at experiencing exponential growth. You can literally ignore anything these people say. They don’t know.
Trial and error will get you somewhere if you’re talented
But you need to be in a field in which you’re talented. If you’re trying to be an entrepreneur, you have to realize that not everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur, and then you need to be talented at whatever you were doing. But generally speaking, you can go far if you have talent and keep trying. This process feels random at first, but it’s actually a sound methodology. Trial and error is a great way to begin collecting data. As you try more, trial and error learning gets easier.
Skill reduces risk and uncertainty
If you have a higher level of skill, life is far less uncertain. Your skill levels reduce the amount of risk you take on. The skilled you are, the lower the likelihood of you making a mistake. If you feel like you’re trying, you need to raise your skill levels or do something different.
With enough data, there is no such thing as trying
Once you have enough data, you should be able to approximate the consequences of any action. Yes, any action. If you can’t do that, you don’t have enough data. Once you internalize and accept this concept, you become more rigorous. You simply think more and harder than others. This means you start to see the gaps in other people’s thinking, and work to analyze the gaps in your own thinking.
Actions that hinge on other people have a success rate
This is where people sometimes get confused. They are told that there is no such thing as “trying”, they point to the fact that you can’t control others’ actions. But you can predict them if you’re skilled enough. I don’t have this skill. Writing is the only field in which I attempt to employ people skills. If what you’re trying to do hinges on other people, you should know whether it’s possible and how to make it happen with the required background information.
Learn about EBITDA multiples if you’re working for yourself
Nowadays, everyone’s focused on money. People want to get rich and stay rich. Generally speaking, learning about EBITDA multiples is going to keep you honest if you’re working for yourself. You will figure out exactly what it takes to build a real business. You will also learn about the immense toll of financialization on the global economy. It makes it incredibly difficult to start a new business without debt. Knowing EBITDA multiples for your industry and business size will keep you honest in the right ways.
High performers give bad advice, because most people aren’t high performers
It’s a really common mistake. Nobody believes people when they talk about future plans. Almost all well-executed plans take more time than we expect, because nothing ever goes according to plan. High performers expect people to be liars, and they expect people to quit. So sometimes they give bad advice to people who are truly committed, steadfast, and well researched. This means if you’re getting advice from a successful person, don’t be surprised if they discourage you at first.
Certain things are too difficult to reliably pull off
If fewer than 1 in every 1000 people can do something, the odds of you being able to reliably pull it off are exceedingly low, even if you try your hardest. Top 1% talent that works harder than 90% of people will achieve 1 in 1000 results. This means that unless you’re some kind of genius, the odds of you reaching a $100M net worth in the United States are incredibly low. Even a reasonably talented individual would have to outwork about 99% of people to get there. It’s really, really difficult to acquire that kind of wealth.
If you want to give something a “shot”, take accountability. Realize that you have control over your actions and therefore your life, and that things are not random. You create the life you live. The last five years of work you did sealed your fate. Some things might have seemed random, but the truth is that if you had the intelligence of an ideal supercomputer, you would have foreseen them. Try to understand as much of the world around you as possible, so that when you do things, the amount of trial involved is minimal. It sounds harsh, but this is the best way to win.
Thanks for paying attention.
