One of billionaire Peter Thiel’s secrets to success is asking himself the contrarian question, “What important truth do very few people agree with you on?”
In similar fashion, but nearly a century earlier, Mark Twain said, “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”
When you hear or read something—even this very article—it’s good practice to consider the opposite of what is being said. In many—even most—cases, you’ll be safer zigging while the masses zag.
The Sexiest Lie of 2015
Most lifestyle “gurus” have sold us on the idea of living for the moment—that right now is all that exists—and that we should only do that which makes us feel good.
Although this advice is alluring and justifying, it often fails to produce desirable results in the real world. Actually, in many cases, it ruins people’s lives. Living for the moment is the reason people leave marriages, lose control over their health, and why America is trillions of dollars in debt.
Instead of living for the moment, it is better to live for the past—as you’d prefer to remember that moment, and your life in general. Indeed, time is fleeting. The present moment barely exists. The moment you become conscious of it, it’s over.
If you find yourself defending your past, this article is probably for you. Although our distant past may not be pretty, our recent past is a clear indicator of our present circumstances.<…