My First Million

The best business ideas come from noticing what's working and doing it better, faster, or for a different audience.

External wealth cannot create internal fulfillment

Prince has everything material but remains empty until learning internal mastery

Happiness is a skill to be developed internally rather than achieved through external acquisition

Basic material needs must be met before focusing on internal states

Focus on developing emotional skills and meaningful relationships rather than only pursuing income increases

Precious vs Trivial Filter

A decision filter that categorizes experiences by their true value to your wellbeing and happiness

Reaction vs Response Distinction

A cognitive model distinguishing between automatic emotional reactions and conscious, chosen responses to events

The Happiness Triangle

A three-component system for achieving sustained happiness by controlling focus, state, and story interpretation

Train selective attention on valuable versus trivial matters

Maintaining emotional equilibrium when facing minor setbacks, automatic filtering of trivial from important

Develop conscious control over emotional state entering situations

Choosing your emotional state before important situations, responding rather than reacting to events

Meaning is assigned, not inherent

You have power over your experience through conscious meaning-making rather than being victim of circumstances