Principles by Ray Dalio

Why should I read Principles by Ray Dalio

Principles is written by Ray Dalio, who is considered the world’s most successful businessmen in the world. He a basically a permanent fixture on TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people list.

In principles Ray Dalio teaches us, how to be both highly analytical and highly successful.

This is a fairly long read but I definitely recommend getting this book, to further your self growth, and if you have any entrepreneurial ambitions.

Some Principles just make sense

“You gotta judge a man by his principles” (MC Hammer, Teflon Don album, Rick Ross)

Ray Dalio is one of the world’s richest men, so it makes sense that he would have some virtuous principles, that are practical and adoptable like being honest,transparent, and cultivating and environment of trust.

Some other principles of his to consider, that we will discuss,

1. You must build your business from the top down

2. Being in business like being a mechanic

3. Kindness isn’t always the best policy.

Nature and Evolution

History repeats itself, there is nothing new under the sun, you can look into the past, and similar situations, you or others have experienced.

The mistake most people make is assuming, that the situation or thing is only happening to them and has never happened to anyone else. Which is a big mistake.

Always keep learning and improving, all big companies have had setbacks, and have had to evolve, nothing stays the saem, look over the history of your favorite companies and their Ceo’s what have they done, during both good and bad times?

Always choose and keep the right goal before you

Think like an athlete, in terms of the way they are training and always willing to perfect their skills. If you apply the discipline and willingness to work, this mindset will carry you far in business.

Radical truth

You can’t always be kind, some times you have to be direct with people and they have to be direct with you in order to prevent mistakes from being made.

A lot of times people sit with zipped lips and, that leaves the door open for  mistakes and disaster to waltz in.

Build your organization and life from the top down

Problems will occur, and when they arise in your business and personal life people need to be able to tell you if you are messing up.

Likewise you need to be able to do the same for them, the yes man culture has killed several great careers, don’t let yours be next.

Summary

This book is an easy read, with practical tips to implement, some of it may appear generic or repetitive but, when you keep trying to tweak things that don’t need to be tweaked, you risk causing a train wreck.