The Academy: Objectives and Guidelines

published

2010-10-31

The Academy is an organization that supports a community of members in achieving the following objectives:

• Tier 1: Overcome barriers to personal development

• Tier 2: Liberate time and energy

• Tier 3: Develop philanthropic capacity

Tier 1 involves such things as

• Avoiding materialism and other burdensome attachments

• Avoiding unhealthy habits that drain money and/or energy

• Avoiding prematurely taking on responsibilities like parenthood

• Avoiding fear of unconventional lifestyles

Tier 2 involves such things as

• Reducing living expenses

• Minimizing personal possessions and liabilities

• Optimizing time utilization

• Escaping from full-time employment

• Developing free-lancing and business skills

• Building low-effort income sources

Tier 3 involves such things as

• Accumulating significant wealth

• Launching philanthropic businesses

• Political activism

• Academic research

• Technological development

• Public education

These tiers are ordered due to the fact that it makes sense to start by focusing on tier 1 and move your focus to higher tiers when appropriate, but focusing on one tier does not mean the other two tiers should be neglected.

The following is one possible pathway. First save 6 months of living expenses while working full-time and focusing on tier 1. Then transition to a part-time job and focus on tier 2, putting most of your effort into acquiring income sources that earn more dollars per hour than your part-time job. When freelance and passive income streams are sufficient, quit the part-time job and start working on a high-profit-potential business. If the business stagnates or fails, liquidate it and try again until it works. Once a successful business is obtained, steer it toward philanthropic effectiveness and independence from your oversight so that you will have more flexibility with your time.

The following guidelines describe the general philosophy of the academy.

• Playfulness: Nothing is serious.

• Skepticism: Nothing is dogmatic; everything can be questioned.

• Rationality: Reason is the way to answer questions.

• Hedonism: The origin of value is subjective experience.

• Philanthropy: Helping others is one of the most hedonistic things you can do.

• Pragmatism: Accept reality and focus on what you can do instead of trying to do the impossible.

• Health: Eat well, sleep well, exercise, and reduce stress.

• Balance: Don't focus so hard that you neglect health, finance, social life, or your purpose.

• Minimalism: Keep your attachments well below your ability to maintain them.

• Coherence: Spend your time with people who think similarly, keep a shared work log, and live close-by.