You only get one shot at life—so why do so many of us settle for mediocrity? Naval Ravikant, entrepreneur and philosopher, offers a striking redefinition of intelligence that cuts through the noise of IQ scores and academic credentials. In a world full of distractions and pre-written scripts, he argues that true intelligence is about getting what you want out of life—and just as importantly, knowing what’s worth wanting in the first place.

This may sound simple, but most people get it wrong. We often chase things that aren’t even aligned with our deepest values. Naval calls these “booby prizes”—goals that look shiny but leave us feeling empty or stuck. Whether it’s status, wealth, or a job that others admire, too many people find themselves trapped by societal expectations, parental pressure, or the subtle influence of what Naval calls “mimetic desire”—wanting what others want, not what you truly want.

That’s why, Naval says, the best outcomes in life come when you slow down, think for yourself, and choose consciously. Most of us spend years committed to paths we chose in a matter of weeks. We pick colleges, cities, careers, and partners with minimal reflection—yet those decisions shape the next 5, 10, or even 40 years of our lives. Naval urges us to reverse that equation: if you’re making a multi-year decision, invest real time—months or even a year—just deciding.

He references the “Secretary Theorem” from computer science, which shows that to choose the best from a series of options, you need to sample a significant portion (about one-third), learn what excellence looks like, and then act decisively when you encounter it. This principle doesn’t just apply to hiring—it’s valid for dating, career choices, and startups. The trick is to iterate quickly. Try things, learn, and then course-correct. Don’t get stuck.

Naval challenges Malcolm Gladwell’s famous “10,000 hours to mastery” idea, reframing it as 10,000 iterations. Mastery doesn’t come from blind repetition—it comes from trying, failing, learning, and improving. That’s iteration. That’s evolution. And that’s how you build real expertise.

But if failure is necessary, why do we fear it so much? Naval points to our evolutionary roots: in the wild, one mistake could mean death. So we evolved to avoid risk. But in the modern world, that wiring is outdated. You can date 50 people before finding the right partner, or launch 5 failed businesses before hitting the one that changes your life. Modern life is far more forgiving, yet we let fear of failure, cynicism, and pessimism hold us back.

To thrive today, Naval says, you need a specific kind of mindset: be skeptical of each individual opportunity, but optimistic in the general. Know that most things won’t work—but something will. And once you find the right match—whether in love, career, or purpose—go all in. That’s when you compound. That’s when life gets exponential.

He also warns against rigid self-labeling. “I’m a pessimist,” “I’m an introvert,” “I have trauma”—these identities can become traps. When we define ourselves by our past or by static traits, we close ourselves off to growth. Instead, stay flexible. Life changes, and the most intelligent thing you can do is adapt. See reality clearly. Respond to it honestly. Don’t let who you were limit who you could become.

Naval’s core message is both empowering and sobering: You have one life. Intelligence isn’t about what you know—it’s about what you choose. What you pursue. What you build. And how willing you are to question everything, especially your own assumptions.

You’re not here to follow the script. You’re here to write your own.

Source: Naval Ravikant on The Diary of a CEO