Read an Excerpt
Foreword by Tim Ferriss
Dear Reader,
It feels strange for me to write these words, as I committed many years ago to never write forewords.
I'm making a rare exception in this case for three reasons. First, a free version of this book is being offered to the world in a digital/Kindle/eBook format with no strings attached. Second, I've known Naval for more than a decade and have long wanted someone to compile this book. Third, I'm increasing the likelihood of Naval's next child being named "Tim" (I'll settle for "Timbo," if he prefers).
Naval is one of the smartest people I've ever met, and he's also one of the most courageous. Not in the "run into the fire without thinking twice" sense, but in the "think twice and then tell everyone they're focusing on the wrong fire" sense. He is rarely part of any consensus, and the uniqueness of his life, lifestyle, family dynamics, and startup successes is a reflection of conscious choices he's made to do things differently.
He can be as blunt as a foot to the face, but that's part of what I love and respect about him: you never have to guess what Naval is thinking. I've never had to guess how he's feeling about me, someone else, or a situation. This is a huge relief in a world of double-talk and ambiguity.
We've shared a lot of meals, shared a lot of deals, and hopped around the world together. That's all to say that, while I consider myself a good people-watcher, I consider myself an excellent Naval-watcher. He is one of the people I call most for advice, and I've watched him in many habitats through many seasons: easy times, hard times, recessions, booms—you name it.
Sure, he's the CEO and a co-founder of AngelList. Sure, he previously co-founded Vast.com and Epinions, which went public as part of Shopping.com. Sure, he's an angel investor and has invested in many mega successes, including Twitter, Uber, Yammer, and OpenDNS, to name but a few.
That's all great, of course, and it shows Naval is a world-class operator instead of an armchair philosopher.
But I don't take his perspectives, maxims, and thoughts seriously because of the business stuff. There are lots of miserable "successful" people out there. Be careful about modeling those, as you will get all the bathwater with the baby.
I take Naval seriously because he:
- Questions nearly everything
- Can think from first principles
- Tests things well
- Is good at not fooling himself
- Changes his mind regularly
- Laughs a lot
- Thinks holistically
- Thinks long-term
- And...doesn't take himself too goddamn seriously.
That last one is important.
This book will give you a good taste of what that cocktail of bullets looks like in Naval's head.
So, pay attention...but don't simply parrot his words. Follow his advice...but only if it holds up after scrutiny and stress-testing in your own life. Consider everything...but take nothing as gospel. Naval would want you to challenge him, as long as you bring your A-game.
Naval has changed my life for the better, and if you approach the following pages like a friendly but highly competent sparring partner, he might just change yours.
Keep your hands up and your mind open.
Pura Vida,
Tim Ferriss
Austin, Texas
Eric's Note (About This Book) Throughout his career, Naval has generously shared his wisdom, and millions of people around the world follow his advice on building wealth and living happily.
Naval Ravikant is an icon in Silicon Valley and startup culture around the world. He founded multiple successful companies (Epinions during the 2000 dot-com crash, AngelList in 2010). Naval is also an angel investor, betting early on companies like Uber, Twitter, Postmates, and hundreds more.
More than a financial success, Naval has been sharing his own philosophy of life and happiness, attracting readers and listeners throughout the world. Naval is broadly followed because he is a rare combination of successful and happy. After a lifetime of study and application of philosophy, economics, and wealth creation, he has proven the impact of his principles.
Today, Naval continues to build and invest in companies almost casually, in his own artistic way, while maintaining a healthy, peaceful, and balanced life. This book collects and organizes the pieces of wisdom he has shared and shows you how to achieve the same for yourself.
Naval's life story is instructive. An introspective founder, self-taught investor, capitalist, and engineer certainly has something to teach us all.
As a first-principles thinker with no fear of speaking his truth, Naval's thoughts are often unique and thought-provoking. His instinct for seeing through life's veneer has changed how I see the world.
I've learned an enormous amount from Naval. Reading, listening, and applying his principles of wealth and happiness has given me calm confidence on my path and taught me to enjoy every moment of this journey. Closely studying his career has shown me how great things are accomplished through small, persistent steps, and how large an impact one individual can have.
I refer to his work often and recommend it to friends. Those conversations inspired me to create this book, so people can learn from his perspective whether they're new to Naval's ideas or have followed him the past ten years.
This book collects the wisdom shared by Naval over the past decade in his own words through Twitter, blog posts, and podcasts. With this book, you can get the benefits of a lifetime in a few hours.
I created this book as a public service. Tweets, podcasts, and interviews quickly get buried and lost. Knowledge this valuable deserves a more permanent, accessible format. That is my mission with this book.
I hope this acts as an introduction to Naval's ideas. I've collected his most powerful and useful ideas in his own words, woven them into a readable thread, and organized those into sections for easy reference.
I often find myself reviewing sections of this book before making an investment or opening to the Happiness chapter if I'm feeling off. Creating this book has changed me. I feel more clarity, confidence, and peace through all aspects of life. I hope reading it will do the same for you.
The Almanack is intended as a guide to be read and consulted for specific topics. If Naval doesn't answer your emails, I hope this book gives you the next-best advice.
In the first few years of publication, this book has sold more than one million copies worldwide. It has been deeply rewarding to see these ideas spread as a word-of-mouth phenomenon and hear how they have changed people's lives.
To get more useful ideas and ways to apply them to your life, visit Navalmanack.com and join my weekly email newsletter at EJorgenson.com.
Thank you for reading,
Eric
