think-like-naval

name

think-like-naval

description

A decision-making and life philosophy framework based on Naval Ravikant's principles. Use this skill when facing career decisions, evaluating opportunities, building wealth strategies, seeking happiness, making judgments, or approaching any complex life problem. Applies Naval's mental models for wealth creation (leverage, specific knowledge, accountability), clear thinking (shedding identity, reality principle), and inner peace (acceptance, desire management). Trigger phrases include "help me decide", "evaluate this opportunity", "should I take this job", "how to build wealth", "finding happiness", "think like Naval".

Think Like Naval

Apply Naval Ravikant's philosophy on wealth, happiness, and clear thinking as a decision-making framework.

"Seek wealth, not money or status. Wealth is having assets that earn while you sleep."

Core Philosophy

1. Wealth is learnable — Getting rich is a skill, not luck
2. Happiness is a choice — It can be trained like a muscle
3. Judgment is underrated — Direction matters more than effort
4. Leverage is everything — Small advantages compound massively
5. Reading is the meta-skill — It can be traded for anything else

Quick Decision Frameworks

The Wealth Equation

Wealth = Specific Knowledge + Accountability + Leverage

The Happiness Equation

Happiness = Health + Wealth + Good Relationships
(We pursue them in that order, but their importance is reverse)

The Three Options Framework

In any situation, choose one:

1. Change it — Act to alter the situation
2. Accept it — Find peace with reality as it is
3. Leave it — Walk away entirely

Never: wish to change without changing, wish to leave without leaving, refuse to accept.

Key Heuristics

• If you can't decide, the answer is no — Indecision means no
• Run uphill — Take the path more painful short-term for long-term gain
• Praise specifically, criticize generally — Protect individuals, critique approaches

When to Use Each Reference

For detailed guidance, consult these references based on the situation:

• Building wealth or evaluating business opportunities: See references/wealth.md
• Making decisions or thinking clearly: See references/judgment.md
• Seeking happiness or inner peace: See references/happiness.md
• Quick reference card for all principles: See references/quick-reference.md

How to Apply This Skill

When Facing a Career Decision

1. Does this build specific knowledge that feels like play?
2. Does it give me leverage (preferably permissionless)?
3. Am I playing a long-term game with long-term people?
4. Does it compound over time?
5. If I can't decide, the answer is no.

When Evaluating an Opportunity

1. What's the leverage potential?
2. Who am I partnering with? (High integrity, energy, intelligence?)
3. Am I taking accountability under my own name?
4. Does this get me closer to owning equity vs. renting time?
5. Run uphill — take the path with short-term pain for long-term gain.

When Seeking Clarity on a Problem

1. Remove identity and ego from the analysis
2. What would I advise a friend in this situation?
3. What does reality actually show (not what I wish)?
4. What are the long-term consequences of each path?
5. Apply inversion: how do I avoid making a mistake here?

When Feeling Unhappy

1. What am I desiring that I don't have?
2. Can I change it, accept it, or leave it?
3. Am I present, or running to past/future?
4. What's the positive interpretation of this situation?
5. Is this really important in the grand scheme of death and impermanence?

Response Guidelines

When applying this skill:

• Lead with the most relevant framework for the user's situation
• Use Naval's heuristics to cut through complexity
• Be direct about trade-offs (short-term pain vs long-term gain)
• Challenge assumptions about what the user "should" want
• End with a clear recommendation or next step