Avoiding stupidity is easier than seeking brilliance.
I read this quote at the end of last year and for me it was a ‘quake’ statement - it shook me up. So much so that I’ve made it my 2016 mantra. You know who said it? Charlie Munger - Warren Buffett’s partner at Berkshire Hathaway.
That is how he said they’ve made billions (yes, with a b), by avoiding stupidity.
It’s so simple. It makes sense. It is a recipe for a good life: Don’t do stupid shit.
Stupid costs. Money. Your sanity. Family. Your freedom.
I like the phrase because it goes way beyond the realm of “common sense”, which tragically, is not so common. Most of us have the ability to discern what would be considered stupid in our world. Not the same can be said for brilliance. Brilliance is Michael Jordan. It’s Steve Jobs. It’s Einstein. Brilliance is rare, despite what we’re telling our kindergartners about all those fucking drawings they’re bringing home.
Stupid is everywhere. It’s being a Jr. High school teacher and trolling for a date amongst the student population. It’s freely admitting to your boss that you don’t really do your job in one breath and asking for a raise in the next. It’s still doing thug shit when you are currently enjoying the success of a multi-platinum selling album.
There is some universal stupidity, for sure - drunk driving, texting while driving, smoking, getting on drugs, armed robbery - but then there’s stupid that specific to our own lives.
You already know what those are. I know you do.
I know what mine are.
Keep it simple: avoid them like the plague and you’re golden.
Here’s to avoiding stupidity in 2016!
