I enjoy me some Nassim Taleb. This is not surprising if you’ve been a reader here for a little while, as I’ve written about antifragility a few times. A lot of my thinking has been inspired by him. Antifragility I Antifragility II Small Fires Taleb talks about “fuck you” money. It’s the amount of money [...]
I enjoy me some Nassim Taleb. This is not surprising if you’ve been a reader here for a little while, as I’ve written about antifragility a few times. A lot of my thinking has been inspired by him.
Taleb talks about “fuck you” money. It’s the amount of money you need to be free and do what you want, when you want. In other words, it’s your ability to say “fuck you” to any situation that involves money. Boss nagging you? Fuck you, I don’t need this job — I have money.
My training philosophy has been brewing for quite some time. I saw “brew” on purpose because the ingredients are floating around in my head, getting better with age. I try removing them sometimes, but they never come out as ripe as I want them to be. I tried in this article on how I deadlifted 550 pounds. Meh. Not quite there.
A recurring flavor I’ve tasted though: making hard things easier rather than always chasing hard things. I think I tried to vomit that idea out here. This mindset came from Dan John and Pavel Tsatsouline, but I think describing it as “fuck you” ____ is the way to go.
The goal is to get to a “fuck you” ability/capacity. “Fuck you” strength is the point at which you can express “enough” strength with absolute ease. Of course, “enough” depends on the end. But there is an “enough” for everyone that isn’t a barbell/strength (powerlifting, weightlifting, strongman, etc.) athlete.
Even with bodyweight skills. Strive for a 5 second “fuck you” tuck planche. Or tricking. Practice a trick until it becomes “fuck you.” Even more? The key, I think, is getting “fuck you” ability and then moving onto the next big thing. Put most of your attention into getting a “fuck you” double bodyweight deadlift and then put the deadlift on coast while you get “fuck you” something else.
Even generalist specialize. And I think the “fuck you” point is the point where you hop to the next challenge. Remember, “fuck you” money isn’t about being the richest person alive. It’s just about having enough to enable you to do whatever you want to do. “Fuck you” ability isn’t about being the best. It’s just about having enough to enable you to do whatever you want to do.
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I’m enjoying: this video (tweeted by Taleb) on The Position of Fuck You
H/T: Nassim Taleb, Dan John, Pavel Tsatsouline
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