"Optimize for independence before maximizing income Naval Ravikant reflects on turning down higher-earning paths — large venture funds, executive roles at major Silicon Valley companies — because he has consistently prioritized independence over income. He explains: "I could have made a lot more money by raising a huge fund or joining a big VC firm early on, but I always optimize for independence." The practical result is that he now has a small network of trusted partners and long-term equity positions that generate money as he goes about his life, without having to answer to a boss or manage subordinates. This reframe — treating independence as the primary variable to optimize for, with income as a byproduct — changes how someone evaluates a job offer, a partnership, or a business structure. Source: Naval Ravikant, The Tim Ferriss Show, Naval Ravikant on Happiness, Reducing Anxiety, Crypto, and More"