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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Principles summary
Ray Dalio
Life and Work
15 mins
Brief summary
Principles by Ray Dalio outlines life and work principles derived from his experiences as a successful investor and entrepreneur. The book provides a comprehensive guide to effective decision-making and achieving personal and professional success.
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Principles
Summary of 6 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 6
Look to nature and evolution in order to keep your eye on the big picture.
Sometimes life can throw so many questions and uncertainties at you that it feels like you’re trapped in a blizzard, unable to see more than a foot in front of your face. In such conditions, it’s impossible to tell which way you’re supposed to turn or what decisions you should make.
This is why having a concrete set of guiding principles in your life is crucial. Like having a compass when lost, being equipped with such principles means you’ll always know exactly where you’re headed and which choices will keep you on that path, no matter the circumstances. They will provide you with fundamental truths that can be applied to any situation, allowing you to move toward your goals and the life you want to live.
But how do we identify just what these principles are? Well, it all starts by keeping a realistic outlook on life. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that life won’t be messy and uncomfortable from time to time. The author, Ray Dalio, is keenly aware that reality isn’t always pretty, and this understanding led to one of his own principles: to always be guided by rational thinking, not emotions.
Sooner or later we all get reminded of the fact that life isn’t always ideal, and it’s important to keep this in mind.
Just think of nature. It’s heart-brekaing to see a beautiful gazelle preyed upon by a pack of hyenas. But this is just a natural fact of life – part of the balanced ecosystem that has evolved over time. If you were to deny this reality and try to intervene, it could have dangerous repercussions.
So remember that things will go wrong sometimes. And keep in mind that failure often provides a valuable chance to learn, adapt and evolve.
Any business that’s been around for a long time has had to adapt to change and bounce back from hard times, which is what you’ll eventually have to do, too. Take the hard times in stride, and always keep learning and improving.
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What is Principles about?
Principles (2017) is a comprehensive guide on personal and professional development, based on the author's own experiences as the founder of Bridgewater Associates. Focusing on radical truth and transparency, the book emphasizes how having a set of core principles guiding every action can make decision-making an easy process, no matter what situation you’re in.
Who should read Principles?
- Managers who want to become better leaders
- Entrepreneurs interested in starting their own business
- Readers curious about personal growth and improvement
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