How to Get Rich (Without Getting Lucky) – A Blog Inspired by Naval Ravikant
Naval Ravikant’s wisdom on wealth creation is not about shortcuts or schemes. It’s a framework based on timeless principles—specific knowledge, accountability, leverage, judgment, and lifelong learning. Here’s how to apply his philosophy and impress your future self.
Seek Wealth, Not Money or Status
- Wealth: Assets that earn while you sleep. It buys you freedom. A positive-sum game.
- Money: A tool for transferring time and wealth. It’s social credit.
- Status: Your rank in the social hierarchy. A zero-sum game.
“I’d rather be a poor person in the 21st century than a rich aristocrat in 18th-century France.”
Everyone can be wealthy with the right knowledge. Ethical wealth creation is not only possible—it’s essential.
Core Principles
1. Specific Knowledge
- What you’re uniquely good at and can’t be trained for.
- Discovered by pursuing your curiosity, not trends.
- Feels like play to you, but work to others.
- Taught through apprenticeships, not schools.
- Often technical or creative—can’t be outsourced.
“Escape competition through authenticity.”
2. Accountability
- Take business risks under your own name.
- Society rewards those who take ownership—with trust, equity, and freedom.
- Examples: Oprah, Elon, Kanye.
3. Leverage
- Labor: People working for you. Messy, permissioned, low-leverage.
- Capital: Money working for you. Harder to acquire, permissioned.
- Code & Media: High-scale, permissionless leverage. Accessible to anyone.
“If you can't code, write books, record videos, or start a podcast.”
Leverage multiplies your judgment. Code and content scale without marginal cost.
4. Judgment
- Ability to make long-term decisions with clarity.
- Comes from experience, which can be accelerated through fast iteration.
- Refined through reading, reflection, and feedback.
Actionable Insights
- Avoid renting time. Own equity in businesses.
- Play long-term games with long-term people.
- Ignore status games. Focus on creating value.
- Partner with high-integrity, high-energy, intelligent people.
- Learn to build and sell.
- Arm yourself with specific knowledge, accountability, and leverage.
“You get rich by giving society what it wants but doesn’t yet know how to get—at scale.”
Learning as a Superpower
- Read foundational books: Adam Smith, Darwin, Feynman.
- Study first principles: microeconomics, game theory, persuasion, mathematics, computers.
- Prefer iteration and feedback over passive consumption.
“Read what you love until you love to read.”
Time and Focus
- Be too busy to “do coffee,” but keep a free calendar.
- Ruthlessly cut meetings—replace them with action.
- Set a personal hourly rate. Avoid tasks beneath it.
Work, Passion, and Lifestyle
- Work hard—but what you work on and with whom matters more.
- Be impatient with actions, patient with results.
- Keep redefining what you do until you're the best at it.
- Don't seek status. Seek freedom through consistent action.
“There are no get-rich-quick schemes. That’s just someone else getting rich off you.”
Final Thoughts
Wealth isn’t the end goal. When you finally become wealthy, you’ll realize what truly matters:
- A calm mind
- A fit body
- A house full of love
These things can’t be bought—they must be earned. Apply Naval’s wisdom not just to build wealth, but to build a meaningful life.
“Apply specific knowledge with leverage, and eventually, you will get what you deserve.”
Start building the life your future self will thank you for—today.