《Optimization vs satisfaction》

Choose the latter.

Productivity often gets a lot of criticism because it focuses on optimizing things: Getting things done as fast as possible with the least amount of effort.

Optimizing is great. But we can take it too far. Let me give you another example.

When I first started investing in the stock market, watching the value of my shares fall made me feel sick to my stomach. All I could think about was getting out at a profit. But hoping for the best didn’t work out and I ended up losing 60% of my money before I finally decided to exit.

The thing with stock picking is that you need to know what you’re doing if you want to make a profit. The stock market is a harsh teacher because it takes away your money every time you make a mistake.

Since then, I have been investing according to the 90/10 rule: 90% of my investments go to an S&P 500 index fund for long-term returns. And I leave 10% for speculation.

While this investing strategy won’t make me rich overnight, it gives me the peace of mind of not having to constantly check on my investments. To me, that’s true wealth.

I have inner satisfaction in knowing that my money is still growing and compounding over time. I don’t need to optimize it to perfection. We can apply this line of thinking to every area of our lives.

When you prioritize satisfaction, instead of optimization, in your personal life, you’re more likely to have a more peaceful mindset and a happier lifestyle.

You don’t need to always strive for the best and most perfect outcomes in order to experience joy.

Instead, you can be content with what you have, while continuously striving to improve. As long as you balance continually growing yourself and investing in your development with satisfaction and peace of mind, then you will always feel good about your life.