How to cure midwit syndrome (3 razors from a recovering midwit):
George Mack
How to cure midwit syndrome (3 razors from a recovering midwit):
The irony: If you're a midwit, most solutions you come up with will be midwit solutions.
The 1st rule of curing midwit syndrome: You'll never be the guy on the right.
The midwit mistake is to think you're smarter than you are -- and pursue complex solutions rather than simple solutions.
The 2nd rule of curing midwit syndrome: Try to become the guy on the left.
Find the simple ideas -- and take em seriously.
How do you find the simple ideas?
The 3rd rule of curing midwit syndrome: Inversion
If you want to become the guy on the left -- write down your goal, write down how you'd assure failure and avoid that.
Example 1: "I want to become happier"
The midwit will start researching complex nootropics to ingest or esoteric gurus on the meaning of life.
Instead, how you would you assure you was miserable?
1. Awful sleep
2. Terrible diet and exercise
3. Do things you hate
4. Surround self with terrible people
Now you've found the simple ideas the guy on the left will come up with:
1. Good Sleep
2. Great diet and exercise
3. Do things you enjoy
4. Surround self with best people you know.
Before you look at any complex solutions, make sure you've maxed out the simple solutions.
Example 2: "I want to become a writer"
The midwit will start learning about writers morning routines or researching the best writing software.
Instead, how would you assure you became a worse writer in 2024?
1. Do not write
2. Write inconsistently
3. Write about things you find boring
Now you've found the simple ideas the guy on the left will come up with:
1. Write
2. Write consistently
3. Write about things that excite you
Do not move onto any complex solutions until you've maxed out those 3 things.
Take the simple idea as seriously as possible.
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The midwit cure:
1. Admit you'll never be the guy on the right.
2. Try to become the guy on the left.
3. Write down how to ensure failure -- and avoid that before you do anything complex.
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Note: I'm still in midwit annonymous trying to break free. Pray 4 me. The irony of writing a long post is not lost on me at least.
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How to cure midwit syndrome (3 razors from a recovering midwit):
The irony: If you're a midwit, most solutions you come up with will be midwit solutions.
The 1st rule of curing midwit syndrome: You'll never be the guy on the right.
The midwit mistake is to think you're smarter than you are -- and pursue complex solutions rather than simple solutions.
The 2nd rule of curing midwit syndrome: Try to become the guy on the left.
Find the simple ideas -- and take em seriously.
How do you find the simple ideas?
The 3rd rule of curing midwit syndrome: Inversion
If you want to become the guy on the left -- write down your goal, write down how you'd assure failure and avoid that.
Example 1: "I want to become happier"
The midwit will start researching complex nootropics to ingest or esoteric gurus on the meaning of life.
Instead, how you would you assure you was miserable?
1. Awful sleep
2. Terrible diet and exercise
3. Do things you hate
4. Surround self with terrible people
Now you've found the simple ideas the guy on the left will come up with:
1. Good Sleep
2. Great diet and exercise
3. Do things you enjoy
4. Surround self with best people you know.
Before you look at any complex solutions, make sure you've maxed out the simple solutions.
Example 2: "I want to become a writer"
The midwit will start learning about writers morning routines or researching the best writing software.
Instead, how would you assure you became a worse writer in 2024?
1. Do not write
2. Write inconsistently
3. Write about things you find boring
Now you've found the simple ideas the guy on the left will come up with:
1. Write
2. Write consistently
3. Write about things that excite you
Do not move onto any complex solutions until you've maxed out those 3 things.
Take the simple idea as seriously as possible.
------
The midwit cure:
1. Admit you'll never be the guy on the right.
2. Try to become the guy on the left.
3. Write down how to ensure failure -- and avoid that before you do anything complex.
------
Note: I'm still in midwit annonymous trying to break free. Pray 4 me. The irony of writing a long post is not lost on me at least.
-----
Enjoyed this? It's taken from my newsletter. Get all my best ideas when you sign up. Link below.