The Most Valuable Skill In The Modern World – George Mack

Definition of agency: the ability guide your actions even when life happens.

A good plan today is better then a perfect plan tomorrow. Has not failed me yet.

George Mack is my favorite guest ever! I’m so drawn by his ideas and the way that he explains reality through his lenses. What a G

Been ruminating for weeks over my next career move and it’s been really affecting my mental health. Reframing it from a decision to an experiment is just what my brain needed. Feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders 🙏

**Tips for Cultivating High Agency:** * Ask: "Does it defy the laws of physics?" (01:31:57) - Distinguishes impossible vs. hard. * Rate your state (1-10) when stuck (01:34:13) - Makes feelings manageable. * "Video Game" task breakdown (01:35:03) - Break goals into small steps. * Identify disagreements with people you admire (01:37:51) - Cultivates independent thought. * Self-Consumption Test: "Would I use/consume this?" (01:39:07) - Ensures value. * Predict & Stress Test (01:40:08) - Write predictions, compare with results. * Externalize thoughts (write, speak, draw) (01:02:16) - Clarifies thinking. * Focus on the smallest first step (01:37:17) - Overcomes inertia. **Low Agency Traps to Avoid:** * The Midwit Trap (51:03) - Avoid overcomplicating to seem smart. * The Rumination Trap (56:52) - Avoid endless overthinking loops. * The Vague Trap (01:06:32) - Be specific with goals; don't avoid clarity. * The Cynic Trap (01:14:18) - Resist dismissing possibilities pessimistically. ---

The best things I did to improve my agency were kicking my learned helplessness, victim mentality and cynicism.

I could listen to these two for hours. I got sucked in. I love it when it's structured like this one is. It gives a sense of closure on each point discussed. Great production Chris

High agency is the trait of being proactive, taking initiative, and actively shaping your circumstances rather than passively accepting them. They don’t wait for permission or perfect conditions—they act, adapt, and create opportunities.

Hello you beauties. Get $350 off the Pod 4 Ultra at https://eightsleep.com/modernwisdom (use code MODERNWISDOM)Get the best bloodwork analysis in America at https://functionhealth.com/modernwisdomGet a Free Sample Pack of all LMNT Flavours with your first purchase at https://drinklmnt.com/modernwisdomGet a 20% discount on the best supplements from Momentous at https://livemomentous.com/modernwisdom Here's the timestamps: 00:00 What Is High Agency? 12:25 Examples Of High Agency 19:29 High Agency People 24:50 The Education System Of Today 32:51 The Spectrum Of High Agency 40:37 Most High Agency Person In History 49:16 What Is The Opposite Of High Agency? 56:10 What Are Rumination Traps? 1:06:09 The Impact Of Specificity 1:14:12 Dangers Of Cynicism 1:18:03 Beliefs And Values High Agency People Focus On 1:24:25 The Key To Being Well-Liked 1:31:34 Strategies For High Agency Living 1:39:25 How To Overcome The Fear Of Rejection 1:46:27 The High Agency Story Of The Patels 1:49:28 Why George Is Passionate About High Agency 1:55:44 Where To Find George

The fact that this video doesn’t have 20 million views is high agency