Eric Jorgenson presents
THE
ALMANACK
Naval Ravikant
Wealth
Part I
The Physics of
Leverage
Wealth is not money. It's assets that earn while you sleep. The key is leverage.
LABOR
RequiredPeople working for you.
CAPITAL
Money working for you.
CODE
Software and algorithms.
MEDIA
Content, brand, and audience.
LABOR
RequiredThe oldest form of leverage. Constrained by geography and management overhead. Linear growth. Every additional person requires management attention.
CAPITAL
RequiredRequires initial wealth or convincing others to give you theirs. High barriers to entry. Once acquired, compounds reliably through interest and investment returns.
CODE
PermissionlessWrite once, distribute infinitely. Zero marginal cost of replication. No permission needed. The true permissionless leverage of the 21st century.
MEDIA
PermissionlessLike code, but for ideas. A tweet can reach millions. No gatekeepers. Build in public, compound your reputation over time.
The Three Pillars
Specific Knowledge
Knowledge that cannot be trained. If society can train you, it can train someone else and replace you. It is found by pursuing your genuine curiosity and passion rather than whatever is hot right now.
Specific knowledge is found much more by pursuing your innate talents, your genuine curiosity, and your passion.
Accountability
Take business risks under your own name. Society will reward you with responsibility, equity, and leverage. Embrace accountability and take business risks under your own name.
Clear accountability is important. Without accountability, you don't have incentives. Without accountability, you can't build credibility.
Judgment
The ultimate skill. Demonstrated by making successful decisions with high stakes and compounding consequences over time. Judgment is knowing the long-term effects of your actions.
If you have high judgment, you can make better decisions than other people. That is a form of leverage.
“Play long-term games with long-term people.
All returns in life come from compound interest.”
— Naval
Happiness
Part II
Happiness is not something you achieve. It's the absence of desire. A skill to be cultivated, not a destination to reach.
The Formula
Happiness = Health + Wealth + Relationships
If you lack health, wealth means nothing.
If you lack relationships, both are incomplete.
But remember: these are not things to pursue—they are byproducts of living correctly.
The Four Truths
Desire
Desire is a contract you make with yourself to be unhappy until you get what you want.
Practice
Observe your desires without acting on them. Practice gratitude for what you already have. The happiness you seek is already within you.
Presence
The past is memory. The future is imagination. Only the present moment is real.
Practice
Meditate daily. Practice bringing your attention back to the present moment, again and again. This is the fundamental skill.
Peace
Peace is happiness at rest. Happiness is peace in motion. They are two sides of the same coin.
Practice
Choose peace over excitement. Stop chasing. Let things come to you. The universe rewards patience.
Acceptance
A fit body, a calm mind, a house full of love. These things cannot be bought—they must be earned.
Practice
Accept what is. Resist nothing. Work with reality as it is, not as you wish it to be. This is true power.
Daily Practices
These are not goals to achieve, but systems to maintain. Consistency compounds.
Meditation
60 min daily
The fundamental skill. Meditation is not about stopping thoughts—it's about observing them without attachment.
“Meditation is intermittent fasting for the mind. Too much sugar leads to a heavy body, and too many distractions lead to a heavy mind.”
— Naval
How
Start with 10 minutes. Sit in silence. Watch your breath. When thoughts arise, acknowledge them and return to the breath. Build up gradually.
Why
Calms the mind. Reduces desire. Increases presence. The foundation of all other practices.
Reading
Books > Articles
Read what you love until you love to read. Books are concentrated wisdom from the best minds.
“Read what you love until you love to read. Reading is the ultimate meta-skill—it can be traded for anything else.”
— Naval
How
Read for 1-2 hours daily. Prefer books over articles. Read across disciplines. Take notes. Re-read great books.
Why
Builds specific knowledge. Expands your mental models. Connects you with the wisdom of the ages.
Exercise
Body & Mind
A fit body is the foundation of a fit mind. Physical health enables mental clarity.
“A fit body, a calm mind, a house full of love. These things cannot be bought—they must be earned.”
— Naval
How
Move daily. Mix strength training, cardio, and flexibility. Find activities you enjoy. Consistency over intensity.
Why
Improves mood, energy, and cognitive function. Physical discipline translates to mental discipline.
Sunlight
Morning light
Natural light regulates circadian rhythms. Morning sunlight sets your internal clock.
“Get sunlight in your eyes within an hour of waking. This is the most powerful signal for your circadian rhythm.”
— Naval
How
Get 10-30 minutes of morning sunlight. No sunglasses. Look toward (not directly at) the sun. Walk outside.
Why
Regulates sleep. Boosts mood. Improves focus. Free and available to everyone.
Sleep
8+ hours
Sleep is the ultimate performance enhancer. Nothing replaces quality sleep.
“Sleep is the most important thing. If you're not sleeping well, nothing else matters.”
— Naval
How
Aim for 8+ hours. Maintain consistent sleep schedule. Dark, cool room. No screens 1 hour before bed.
Why
Restores the body and mind. Consolidates learning. Regulates hormones. Non-negotiable for health.
Fasting
Discipline
Intermittent fasting trains discipline and improves metabolic health.
“Fasting is the ultimate test of willpower. If you can control when you eat, you can control anything.”
— Naval
How
Start with 12-hour fasts. Gradually extend to 16:8 (16 hours fasting, 8 hours eating). Listen to your body.
Why
Improves insulin sensitivity. Promotes cellular repair. Builds mental discipline. Simplifies life.
“The modern devil is cheap dopamine.
Discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most.”
— Naval
“The fundamental delusion:
There is something out there that will make me happy forever.”
“Happiness is being satisfied with what you have.
Success comes from dissatisfaction.
Choose your balance wisely.”
— Naval
The Almanack
Naval Ravikant
The Source Code
Timeless wisdom on wealth and happiness.
Reading is the ultimate meta-skill.