If only we could take the ideas of some of the most vivid thinkers in history, compress them and frame them in such a way as to make them relatable to our current time. Luckily, we have some current intellectual thinkers to do that for us. And that is what this book is all about. Wisdom compressed and distilled into its essence.

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 what he’s feeling about me, someone else, or a situation. This is a huge relief in a world of double-talk and ambiguity. - Tim Ferriss

The Almanack of Naval Ravikant is a compendium of the public ideas of Naval Ravikant. Investor, first-principles thinker, engineer and philosopher (my words not his) and someone who has amassed serious wealth from humble beginnings. However he didn’t write this book. Well, not directly anyway. We have this book thanks to Eric Jorgenson. Eric has scoured the internet for the public wisdom of Naval given in tweets, interviews, podcasts and the like. He has organized the information and made it freely available. The electronic version of this book has been made available to all the world without cost. Although there are print versions you can buy as with any other book. Let’s present some of the most important ideas in the book. Particularly on two of the most important topics in life. Wealth and Happiness. Let’s look at the wealth portion of the book. We can be happy later.

Wealth

That is perhaps the most important mindset shift in the wealth portion of the book. It will be pretty obvious knowledge to the already-wealthy, but less so to those not quite there yet. Just like learning how to do a specific job, learning to make money is a skill you perfect over time. And once you know how to do it you can keep doing it pretty much forever.

Making money is not a thing you do - it’s a skill you learn - Naval Ravikant

Naval notes that to gain true wealth you must not sell your time (work hours in exchange for dollars). You must own assets that pay you money all day long. You must own part of a business. Basic investing here. But that investment can be in either a publicly traded company, or in a business you have built yourself and automated as much as possible. More on the second part later.

Specific knowledge is knowledge you cannot be trained for. When specific knowledge is taught, it's through apprenticeships, not schools. Specific knowledge is often highly technical or creative. It cannot be outsourced or automated. - Naval Ravikant

To Naval, Specific Knowledge (as he calls it) is kind of a big deal. The biggest deal. You find it by looking at your genuine curiosities and you love working on it so much that it feels like play. You cannot be replaced. It is the thing you love so much and are so good at that you can do it almost effortlessly. Your knowledge cannot be outsourced to others. It is often a combination of skills. Nobody in the world should be able to do your specific combination of skills better than you. Naval suggests that you find your most passionately loved combination and create Specific Knowledge that is truly a reflection of who you are. And then find a way to get paid for it.

“Escape competition through authenticity.” - Naval Ravikant

Now back to the automation bit I mentioned earlier. Naval is interested in what he calls permissionless leverage. Creating systems that are able to cope without your input. Software (code) and media (books, blogs, video and audio) are his favorite forms. Once you put the work in on the front end they are able to earn for you without your further input. HOWEVER you will need to be an almost compulsive learner. Learning throughout life is vitally important to achieving riches, according to Naval.

Now what if you have to work a more traditional job? Which should you choose? Naval’s idea is that you should choose one in which your judgements are leveraged and where you are paid based on outputs and not inputs (time spent). You may be able to slowly work your way into this position with most knowledge-work jobs.

“Earn with your mind, not your time.” - Naval Ravikant

The final idea in the wealth portion of the book concerns the people you choose to surround yourself with. Naval notes that they are critical to your success. High value people create high value outcomes when they work together. Helping others without seeking anything in return will (ironically) get you the highest returns. You should only allow people with high moral values into your inner circle. And play long term games with them in which you can all win. Results will compound over time.

“The closer you want to get to me, the better your values have to be.” - Naval Ravikant

The above thoughts may not be revolutionary, but that is precisely why they are so wise. They are proven ways of being and of building wealth. Apply them freely.

Happiness

You should aim for independence rather than money. Using the wealth creation tools to give you more time will make you ultimately happier. The Almanack of Naval Ravikant is a collection of insights and wisdom from entrepreneur and investor Naval Ravikant. The book offers a unique perspective on creating wealth and finding success in life, drawing on a wide range of sources including philosophy, psychology, and personal experience.

One of the key takeaways from the book is the importance of building a strong personal brand. Naval emphasizes the importance of creating a personal narrative and sharing it with the world in order to attract the right opportunities and connections. He also stresses the importance of consistent and authentic self-expression in building a strong personal brand.

Another important lesson is the power of networking. Naval stresses the importance of building relationships and maintaining a strong network of connections. He also emphasizes the importance of being generous with your time and expertise in order to build a loyal and supportive network.

The book also highlights the importance of taking calculated risks and being comfortable with failure. Naval encourages readers to embrace uncertainty and to view failure as a necessary part of the learning process. He also stresses the importance of having a solid risk management plan in place to ensure that you are able to recover from failure and continue moving forward.

The Almanack of Naval Ravikant also emphasizes the importance of self-education and lifelong learning. Naval encourages readers to take an active approach to learning, and to seek out new experiences and knowledge in order to expand their skills and capabilities.

In summary, The Almanack of Naval Ravikant is a valuable resource for anyone looking to build wealth and find success in life. The book offers practical advice on building a strong personal brand, networking, taking calculated risks, and continuing to learn and grow. By following the principles outlined in the book, readers can set themselves on the path to achieving their goals and realizing their full potential.