One of the most destructive natural instincts we all have is the urge to do things our own way.

This mechanism benefits nature and natural selection because for nature to select, it needs variation. The more life behaves randomly in 'individual' ways, the more versions there are to choose from.

But for us as individuals, it’s a waste of our lives. In a society with so many people and so much information and knowledge, we don’t need to do everything our own way. Yet this instinct is genetically ingrained, and we can’t ignore it. It massively impedes our learning and progress.

If you want to be successful and create your own world, you need to be efficient in most areas and unique in a few. Trying to do everything your way is a recipe for mediocrity. If everyone tried to invent their own bicycles, 99.999% would create useless junk.

Focus on what truly matters!