Five-Year Life Chapters

Raoul Pal shares his approach to life planning through distinct chapters, focusing on quality of life over money.

Core Philosophy

• Life itself is the game, not money
• Quality of life is the primary objective
• Always lives in the future mentally and works backwards
• Takes concrete steps towards envisioned end goals

Chapter Planning Method

• Structures life in roughly 5-year chapters
• Each chapter has distinct focus and goals
• Triggered by "glimpses" into desired lifestyles
• Uses visualization of future self to guide present actions

Real-World Example: Mediterranean Chapter

• Triggered by experiencing Spanish lifestyle
  • Witnessed long table family dinners
  • Observed Mediterranean way of life
  • Recognized this as ideal quality of life
• Executed through concrete steps
  • Found house through father's connection
  • Purchased 6-bedroom Spanish house at age 30
  • Used Goldman Sachs bonus to buy property outright
• Strategic outcome
  • Created safety net and lifestyle foundation
  • Enabled taking more career risks
  • Achieved desired quality of life milestone

Next Chapter Evolution: Intellectual Capital

• Identified missing element while in Spain
  • Lacked connection to intellectual peers
  • Limited by pre-social media era
• Discovered new direction through
  • Tim Ferriss's influence
  • Silicon Valley entrepreneurship exposure
• Shifted focus to entrepreneurial journey
  • Moved beyond one-man research business
  • Sought to test personal capabilities

Financial Foundation

• Built career in banking industry
  • Worked with hedge funds
  • Earned $1M+ annually by age 30
• Used financial success to enable lifestyle choices
• Prioritized liquid assets over stock options
• Willing to take calculated risks for new chapters