Neckar’s Notes $12 / month

Neckar's Notes examines the dynamics of business success and personal growth, focusing on learning, introspection, and the principles of wealth creation and management. It explores influential figures' strategies and philosophies, emphasizing continuous improvement, rational decision-making, and the importance of an open-minded approach to both investing and life.

Personal Development Investment Strategies Wealth Management Business Analysis Philosophy Economics

The hottest Substack posts of Neckar’s Notes

And their main takeaways

Don't be the Bryan Johnson of money.

123 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
💰 Finance Investing Wealth Economics Personal Finance Market Trends
  1. Measuring money can be misleading. When focusing just on a number, like net worth, it can become unimportant and lose its meaning.
  2. Like health, money can dominate your thoughts when you don't have it. But when you do, it often fades to the background.
  3. Don't obsess over extreme methods to gain wealth or health. A simple, balanced approach can be more effective and sustainable.

Writing is transformation.

63 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
📚 Literature Writing Creativity Personal Growth Self-help Journaling
  1. Writing can help you transform your life. It allows you to explore deeper emotions and thoughts, leading to personal growth and healing.
  2. Using pen and paper for journaling can unlock creativity. Setting aside time to write helps you get in touch with your feelings and inspires new ideas.
  3. Creating a personal writing practice requires discipline and a clear mindset. Finding a quiet space and dedicating time daily can enhance your writing experience.

In spite of time.

84 implied HN points • 25 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Mortality Time Human behavior Spirituality
  1. We often distract ourselves from the fear of death with activities like scrolling on our phones or drinking alcohol. This shows how much we want to avoid thinking about time running out.
  2. Instead of making us appreciate our time more, anxiety about time can sometimes lead us to waste it. We think we have future opportunities and can make up for lost moments later.
  3. Wasting time can be a form of rebellion against the limits of life and death. It's like spending our last bit of money on something pointless, knowing that it might hurt us later.

The Struggle for Home

105 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Identity Home Tradition Belonging Emotions
  1. Home can be a complicated feeling. It’s not just a place we live but can also be tied to our emotions and memories.
  2. Our experiences shape how we feel about home. While we may feel at peace in some places, other locations can remind us of heavy emotions.
  3. Finding beauty in the imperfections of home can be challenging but important. Sometimes, home means facing difficult truths and still choosing to love it.

My Greatest Fear (Wrestling with Faith and Fate)

180 implied HN points • 25 Dec 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spiritual growth Personal Reflection Eastern philosophy
  1. Fear can prevent us from taking action, making us feel stuck. It's important to recognize that running from fear might be what we truly fear.
  2. Finding purpose in life isn't about reaching a destination but about walking a path. Every moment is an opportunity to choose faith over fear.
  3. Being present and expressing gratitude can help us connect with others and find meaning. Each day is a new chance to share and make a difference.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Taylor Sheridan's Lightbulb Moment (Tapping into your creative energy)

90 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Creativity Film Writing Personal Development Identity
  1. Creative energy is essential for success. Like light bulbs, we need to be connected to a source to shine our brightest.
  2. Taylor Sheridan's career shows that persistence can lead to breakthroughs. After years of struggle, he shifted from acting to writing and directing, which changed everything for him.
  3. True change comes from understanding who you really are and being true to yourself. Sheridan found success when he embraced his true identity instead of trying to fit into a role.

Essays on writing, life, and my journey.

6 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
📚 Literature Writing Essays Personal Growth Self-reflection Creative Expression
  1. Writing can help us find meaning in difficult experiences. It lets us explore our emotions and transform our pain into something valuable.
  2. Being honest and writing from the heart is important. It helps us connect with ourselves and our readers genuinely.
  3. Life is about the journey, not just the end goal. We should focus on growing and appreciating where we are right now.

Ben Graham's Duplex

117 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
💰 Finance Investing Personal Finance Market Trends Wealth Management Economic History
  1. Money experiences often change suddenly, like climbing a ladder. It’s important to take time to adjust before making big choices.
  2. Ben Graham was a successful investor who once lived in a fancy duplex in New York City. He felt on top of the world after making a lot of money.
  3. However, he moved into this luxurious home just before a huge stock market crash. This teaches us that success can change quickly.

Until the Heart Catches

129 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Emotions Mental health Self-discovery Grief Expression
  1. Emotions like sadness and tears are normal and can be a sign of strength. It's healthy to let yourself feel deeply and express those feelings.
  2. Journaling can help you understand and release difficult emotions. Writing about your feelings lets you process them better.
  3. Allowing yourself to feel grief can also lead to joy and gratitude. Embracing your emotions can help connect you more with your own experiences and memories.

Why I Write (An Invitation)

150 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
📚 Literature Writing Reading Creative Process Expression Literary Criticism
  1. Writing can be a way to understand ourselves better. It helps us process our thoughts and experiences by putting them on the page.
  2. Writing allows for a connection with others and can express feelings that are hard to communicate otherwise. It's a way to share our truths and experiences.
  3. Engaging in writing regularly can be transformative and fulfilling. It offers a method to explore our inner thoughts and feelings while keeping us present in our lives.

Money is a Test (What Money Means)

120 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
💰 Finance Currency Economics Investment Wealth Management
  1. Money changes people's lives and values in big ways. For example, in post-Soviet society, people had to quickly learn what money meant, which turned traditional roles upside down.
  2. It's said that everyone believes in money, even if they don't share the same beliefs about religion or nationalism. Money is that powerful and universal.
  3. Our feelings about money often come from our past and family. It's not just about numbers; it's an emotional subject that many struggle with.

Buffett's Blueprint

15 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
💼 Business Investing Finance Economics Entrepreneurship Leadership
  1. Warren Buffett combined reading with building strong relationships to grow his wealth. Both his knowledge and connections helped him succeed.
  2. Buffett pursued wealth in a way that was meaningful and enjoyable to him, focusing on personal growth and independence.
  3. The next Buffett will be proactive in seeking knowledge and crafting their own path, rather than just copying what others did.

Everything is a Room

57 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Breathwork Emotional Healing Spirituality Personal Development
  1. Breathwork can be a powerful emotional experience, especially when done in a large group. It can bring up a lot of feelings like anger, laughter, and joy.
  2. It's important to have a safe and intimate space for such deep practices. Without it, moments of connection may get lost amid the noise and excitement.
  3. Life can be seen as a series of 'rooms', which represent different relationships and experiences we have. Each interaction creates or enters a unique space of its own.

Revisiting 2024: Favorite Posts and Quotes

48 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Art Writing Philosophy Personal Growth History
  1. Reflecting on past experiences helps us see how much we've accomplished, even when we feel lost. It's important to keep moving forward despite challenges.
  2. Money is more than just currency; it influences our lives in deep ways. Understanding our feelings about money can lead to meaningful insights.
  3. Mentorship plays a key role in personal growth. Being open to learning and seeking guidance can help us achieve our goals.

Alchemy of Money

9 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
💰 Finance Investing Wealth Economics Psychology Markets
  1. Investing takes patience and energy management, with only rare moments of excitement. It's important to think deeply about the opportunities in the market.
  2. Successful investors analyze their feelings about money, as these beliefs can impact their financial decisions. Inner work on money beliefs is essential for success.
  3. Life with money presents constant tests about what kind of world we want and what sacrifices we're willing to make. Careful choices in financial matters are crucial.

The Price of Passion (Life is like a jar of marbles)

111 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
💰 Finance Investment Wealth Capitalism Philanthropy Markets
  1. Being passionate about your work can be great, but it can also lead to burnout. It's important to find a balance so that you don't end up hating what you once loved.
  2. Some wealthy individuals work hard without needing the money, and they often question why they keep doing it. Reflecting on the usefulness and purpose of their efforts can lead to deeper self-understanding.
  3. Philanthropy can be a way to find meaning and happiness for those with excess wealth. However, just giving money away doesn’t always bring fulfillment if one is stuck in a life of work they don't enjoy.

The Moment that Made Louis C.K.'s Career

150 implied HN points • 09 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Comedy Entertainment Creativity Performance Storytelling
  1. Louis C.K. faced dark times early in his career but kept going despite feeling lost. He learned that persistence is key, even when things seem tough.
  2. He spent years perfecting his comedy, but realized he wasn't happy with the act he created. This shows that just working hard isn't always enough if you're not passionate about what you're doing.
  3. C.K. admired George Carlin's ability to create deep work, which inspired him but also made him doubt himself. This highlights how comparison can drive us forward or hold us back.

Al Pacino and the Weight of Wealth

87 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Celebrities Wealth Mindset Identity Memoirs
  1. Al Pacino went broke twice despite once having fifty million dollars. He didn't manage his money well, even though he knew better.
  2. His background affected his relationship with money. Growing up poor, he lacked understanding of financial matters and often felt helpless.
  3. Pacino's story shows that mindset and identity can really shape how we handle money. He recognized his bad decisions but struggled to take full responsibility for them.

René Girard and the Port Strike Revelation

75 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Labor Issues Economic Policy Political Conflict Crisis Management
  1. The port workers' strike revealed deeper issues in American labor and efficiency. This moment showed how tensions in our culture can be tied to economic inequalities.
  2. Harold Daggett's comments during the strike hint at a reluctance to hide labor practices that benefit the few. His straightforward approach sparked conflict and public backlash.
  3. The situation highlights a contradiction in capitalism where avoiding competition is crucial for success. This creates tension between unions and innovation in industry, leading to larger societal implications.

☕📱Let's Chat on Zoom; Talent vs. Endurance: Haruki Murakami and Leonard Cohen

48 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
📚 Literature Authors Writing Creativity Inspiration Aging
  1. Leonard Cohen's story teaches us that sharing and facing problems head-on can be more effective than retreating. He faced challenges by stepping up his creativity, which inspires others to act similarly.
  2. Murakami believes that success in writing requires more than just talent; focus and endurance are also essential. He emphasizes the need for a healthy body to support the mental demands of writing.
  3. Writing a novel is a lot of hard work, similar to manual labor. It takes a lot of energy and focus to create a complete story, which many people may not fully appreciate.

Night Season

252 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care Mental health Personal Growth Spirituality Life Transitions
  1. Life moves in cycles, and it's beneficial to try to align yourself with these cycles rather than strain against them.
  2. Dark nights of the soul, challenging periods that force deep reflection, are opportunities for transformation and spiritual growth if approached with acceptance and openness.
  3. During times of darkness, it's important to embrace the discomfort, sit with the darkness, and allow the unfolding process to reveal hidden truths and lead to personal growth.

The Birds and the Wasteland

144 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Art Creativity Society Nature Humanity
  1. In a world that may feel like a wasteland, it's vital to find what makes you feel alive and follow that path, regardless of external circumstances.
  2. The current culture is saturated with distractions that cater to the dopamine loop, leading to addiction to stimulating activities and a loss of genuine connection and creativity.
  3. To combat a dead culture, one must embrace mindful attention, direct experience, creative expression, and deep connections in order to create an alive culture filled with authenticity and humanity.

📚Salon: Reading for Pleasure and Going Beyond Words: Events, Practices

117 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Reading Practices Events Wisdom Writing
  1. Reading for pleasure is a rare and fulfilling experience in a world dominated by social media and short attention spans.
  2. Engaging in concrete practices beyond mere words is crucial for finding meaning, connection, and balance in life.
  3. Exploring various practices like breathwork and attending events can help cultivate wisdom, balance, and a deeper connection with oneself and the world.

How to Find Your Voice

105 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🚌 Education Writing Creativity Identity Influence Voice
  1. When writing, be true to your unique voice to create engaging, magical content that resonates with readers.
  2. Identity crisis in writing can stem from trying to mimic others instead of embracing one's own style.
  3. To find your voice as a writer, avoid labeling yourself and simply write a lot, experimenting with different topics, forms, and influences.

Enough: The Forgotten Lesson of Ben Graham's Life

264 implied HN points • 04 Mar 23
💰 Finance Investing Wealth Education Philosophy Business
  1. Ben Graham's success was largely due to his investment in GEICO, not just deep value stocks.
  2. Graham's approach to investing was more focused on teaching basic principles accessible to all, rather than on seeking out the best companies like GEICO.
  3. Buffett, unlike Graham, dedicated himself to the pursuit of amassing wealth through compounding capital, while Graham saw investing as just one of many interests in his life.

The Pritzkers: Buffett's Blueprint

159 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
💼 Business Family Values Corporate strategy Succession Planning Diversification
  1. Jay Pritzker's strategic intuition led to the success of the Hyatt chain and Marmon Holdings, influencing Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway.
  2. The Pritzker family values of entrepreneurship and business acumen were passed down through generations, contributing to their immense success and fortune.
  3. Jay Pritzker's partnership with his brother Bob, who excelled at complex turnarounds, was a key element in the Pritzker Method for business success.