Think Independently

In life, we’re constantly bombarded by so-called experts who tell us what we should do, how we should think, and what we can or cannot achieve. If we don’t develop the ability to think independently, we risk letting outside influences control our future. That’s why one of the most valuable investments we can make is in our own ability to reason, analyze, and make informed decisions.

I had to learn this lesson early in my journey. I served multiple decades in prison, where guidance counselors, psychologists, and correctional officers all had opinions on how a person in prison should adjust. Some advised compliance, urging me to keep my head down and “do my time.” Others promoted a convict mentality, suggesting that survival meant resisting authority at every turn.

One day, a prison guidance counselor asked me whether I saw myself as an inmate or a convict. I told her I rejected both labels.

“I am an American man,” I said.

That simple statement reflected a much deeper philosophy. I refused to let the prison system define my identity. Labels are powerful, and if we allow others to define us, we surrender control over our own destiny. Instead of accepting my environment as a limitation, I chose to develop my mind. I made it my mission to educate myself, to learn how the world worked, and to prepare for success beyond prison walls.

Lessons from the Markets

One of the most valuable ways I sharpened my decision-making skills was by studying the stock market. I wanted to understand how investors built wealth, so I read every book and magazine I could find. I watched CNBC daily, paying attention to market trends and debates among analysts.

One moment that stood out to me occurred in the late 1990s when Amazon was still an emerging company. CNBC held a Bull-Bear Debate, featuring two analysts with completely opposite views. One analyst argued that Amazon wasn’t worth more than $50 per share, pointing to its weak financials at the time. The other analyst claimed Amazon was worth $400 per share, valuing the company based on its future potential.

Both men were considered experts. Yet they had radically different opinions on the valuation of the same company’s stock.

The lesson was clear:

• even among experts, there is no universal truth—only perspectives.

The person who bet against Amazon lost out on one of the greatest investment opportunities in history. The person who saw Amazon’s long-term value made a fortune. But at the moment, no one could say with certainty who was right.

Today, we see similar debates about companies like Palantir. Some analysts claim it’s not worth more than $25 per share. Others argue its long-term potential makes it worth many times that amount. Who’s right? Only time will tell.

As an investor, I don’t blindly follow expert opinions. Instead, I assess the information, weigh the risks, and make my own decision. Whether I succeed or fail, it’s on me—not on some TV analyst.

Be the CEO of Your Life

Warren Buffett once said, “The most important investment you can make is in yourself.” That investment isn’t just about money—it’s about cultivating the ability to think critically and independently.

If we let others dictate our choices, we surrender control over our own lives. But if we take the time to educate ourselves, to study different viewpoints, and to weigh decisions for ourselves, we become the CEO of our own lives. Like any great CEO, we must take ownership of our choices, adapt when needed, and always keep learning.

The world is full of noise. Experts, critics, and doubters will always have opinions on what we should do. But in the end, it’s not about what they think—it’s about the decisions we make. Our future depends on how well we train ourselves to think independently.

That’s a skill I practice every day. And I encourage you to do the same.

Self-Directed Question:

• What steps can you take today to strengthen your ability to think independently and make decisions that align with your long-term vision for success?

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