Chapter 1: The Power of Long-Term Thinking

Contented and successful individuals tend to think in terms of decades while also cherishing the present moment. They possess the rare ability to manage contradictions, a skill that is often overlooked yet immensely valuable.

Setting ambitious and audacious goals can be inspiring; however, if the pursuit of these goals compromises your current happiness or leads to self-repulsion, it's simply not worth it. These conflicting thoughts vie for the focus of the vibrant, successful person you are meant to become, and your choices today will shape the trajectory of your entire life—no pressure, right?

Top chess Grandmasters meticulously plan numerous moves in advance, a strategy that successful individuals in all aspects of life also embrace. This concept is central to Dorie Clark's book, The Long Game, which has sparked some enlightening thoughts I'd like to share.

In today’s world, there’s a troubling trend of prioritizing immediate gratification over lasting achievement and satisfaction. This is evident in the escalating crises of consumer and student debt, as people find themselves in financial turmoil due to impulsive decisions. Additionally, the countless hours wasted on aimless social media scrolling and the rising obesity epidemic are symptoms of this pervasive issue.

Ultimately, many opt for the path of least resistance, indulging in fleeting pleasures that lead to long-term dissatisfaction. As the saying goes, “Hard choices, easy life; easy choices, hard life.” While it’s challenging to keep the end goal in mind while making sound short-term decisions, the regret of not doing so is far worse.

These seemingly "easy" choices accumulate over time, transforming you into someone you never envisioned yourself becoming. Fortunately, there is a way forward, and it begins today—there's no opportunity to choose differently tomorrow or yesterday. Every moment is an opportunity to shape your future, and as James Clear notes in Atomic Habits, your current direction outweighs your present outcomes.

This means that if you're taking the necessary steps today, the results may not be visible immediately, but they are on their way. The only aspect you can control is how you utilize this moment.

The ability to think long-term while fully engaging in the present is an invaluable skill. Reading The Long Game is an excellent starting point, and I’ve even composed a detailed 7,200-word analysis of this upcoming business classic on my platform, Stairway to Wisdom.

Here are five small yet crucial actions you can take to amplify your next decade, all while remaining proud of who you are and hopeful about your future.

Action Steps to 10X Your Next Decade

1. Acknowledge Your Small Victories

We achieve success more often than we realize, but we seldom take the time to acknowledge it. Dorie Clark refers to these early signs of progress as “raindrops of progress,” and recognizing them is essential. Many become so focused on the next milestone that they overlook the importance of celebrating small victories along the way. So, take a moment to identify a few things you've accomplished this week and remind yourself to recognize your successes moving forward.

2. Develop a "Stop Doing" List

While to-do lists are helpful, a "Stop Doing" list can significantly clear up your schedule. Set aside time—perhaps even today—to identify activities that do not contribute to your growth or overall happiness. Once you’ve identified these, commit to eliminating them from your routine.

3. Embrace Being Mediocre at Something

In our quest to excel at everything, we often spread ourselves too thin. Acknowledge that no one can be excellent in every area. Focus on your strengths and consider hiring or collaborating with others for your weaknesses. For instance, many successful YouTubers delegate tasks like video editing and thumbnail creation to focus on their primary creative efforts. Accept that it’s okay to be less than perfect in certain areas.

4. Set Creative Constraints

Parkinson’s Law suggests that work expands to fill the time allocated for it. If you give yourself an entire day to complete a task, it will likely take all day. However, if you limit the time to one hour, you’ll find a way to finish it within that timeframe. This principle can also apply over longer periods, as seen when people become super productive before vacations. Experiment with imposing time constraints to enhance your focus and efficiency.

5. Multiply Your Goals by Ten

If you have a vision for what you want to achieve in the next decade, consider multiplying that goal by ten. Bill Gates famously noted that we often underestimate what can be accomplished over ten years. Don't sell yourself short! Approach your aspirations with a world-class mentality and demand more from yourself across all areas of life. Remember, achieving these heightened goals may require increased effort and dedication, so be prepared for that level of commitment. Conduct research on the timelines of others who have reached similar milestones and commit to investing an equivalent amount of time in your pursuits.

Further Reading

The best chess Grandmasters meticulously plan ahead, and the most successful individuals apply the same strategy in life. The Long Game serves as a toolkit to help you multiply your success across various domains.

Additionally, I can hardly think of any happy, successful people who do not engage in constant reading. Books hold the solutions to virtually all challenges you may face—there are no novel problems! Whatever you're encountering has likely been addressed by someone else who has written a book about it.

If you wish to delve deeper into this book and others that have stood the test of time, I invite you to explore the Stairway to Wisdom. It’s a membership site and newsletter where I dissect the best books I've encountered, offering insights, actionable steps, and much more to integrate this knowledge into your life.

I won’t elaborate further, but if you're curious, you can enjoy a free one-month trial. I hope you find it beneficial!

Currently, the site features over 60 book analyses, with new content added weekly, including author Q&As, book giveaways, and audio companions. Moreover, I donate 10% of my profits from Stairway to Wisdom to First Book, a charity dedicated to providing children with reading resources.

Best wishes,

Matt Karamazov

P.S. Reading over 1,000 books was a significant journey for me, but I accomplished it! Access my well-regarded reading list for free here.

In this video, Grant Cardone discusses how embracing the things you dislike can lead to unexpected wealth and success, offering insights into shifting your mindset.

In this motivational video, Grant Cardone shares his top ten rules for success, emphasizing the importance of learning to love challenges and adversities for achieving your goals.