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A Guide to Wealth and Happiness

By Eric Jorgenson (Insights from Naval Ravikant)

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Introduction

The Almanack of Naval Ravikant is not just a book—it’s a distilled collection of insights from one of Silicon Valley’s most original thinkers. Curated by Eric Jorgenson, this guide dives into Naval’s philosophy on building wealth, achieving happiness, and designing a life with leverage and clarity. Naval doesn’t just chase success—he redefines it. This book compiles years of Naval’s interviews, tweets, and essays into a roadmap for living wisely in the age of abundance.

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10 Key Lessons from The Almanack of Naval Ravikant

1. Play Long-Term Games with Long-Term People

Success compounds. Naval emphasizes building relationships with people who value ethics, reputation, and trust. Whether in business or life, long-term collaboration with high-integrity individuals leads to exponential growth and compounding results.

2. Learn to Build and Learn to Sell

According to Naval, every great founder and wealth builder excels at either product creation (building) or market positioning (selling). Mastering one—or partnering with someone who complements you—is crucial for scaling wealth and influence.

3. Specific Knowledge Can’t Be Taught, Only Discovered

Naval introduces the idea of “specific knowledge”—the kind that feels like play to you but looks like work to others. This unique edge is built through curiosity, not formal education. It’s where personal interest, deep skill, and economic value intersect.

4. Leverage is the New Wealth Multiplier

True wealth comes from using leverage—capital, people, code, or media—to scale your output. Naval suggests moving away from trading time for money and toward scalable systems where your work impacts thousands, even while you sleep.

5. Learn to Love Reading—It’s a Superpower

Reading broadly and often is one of Naval’s lifelong habits. He believes most people underestimate how much reading can transform your thinking. Books let you absorb decades of wisdom in days, giving you a mental edge.

6. Desire Is a Contract You Make with Yourself to Be Unhappy Until You Get What You Want

Naval’s views on happiness revolve around reducing desire. When you’re constantly chasing something external, you bind your happiness to outcomes. Peace comes from detaching and appreciating what already is.

7. Become the CEO of Your Own Life

Naval believes in personal sovereignty. You should build a life where you don’t need permission—from a boss, a system, or society. Design your career, your habits, and your priorities around freedom, not conformity.

8. Escape the Rat Race by Owning Equity, Not Hours

If you’re always trading hours for income, your ceiling is capped. Naval urges people to acquire ownership—whether it’s equity in startups, digital assets, or intellectual property—so your wealth grows independently of your time.

9. Happiness Is a Skill You Can Train

Naval views happiness not as an outcome, but a practice. Through mindfulness, gratitude, and awareness, you can rewire your internal dialogue and build a stable, content mindset—regardless of your external success.

10. Your Real Job Is to Learn Who You Are

The ultimate form of leverage is authenticity. Naval argues that life becomes simpler and more fulfilling when you stop copying others and lean into your own strengths, curiosities, and values. Self-awareness is the foundation of both wealth and peace.