Why did Naval mention "spend more time with your children and parents"?
Okay, let's dive into this topic.
When talking about Naval, words like "leverage," "wealth," and "specific knowledge" often come to mind, sounding quite "hardcore." But a closer look at his philosophy reveals a recurring emphasis on something remarkably soft and profoundly relatable – "spend more time with your children, spend more time with your parents."
This might seem somewhat disconnected from his ideas about wealth creation. Yet, its inner logic is perfectly aligned. I believe his emphasis stems from several fundamental and deeply insightful reasons:
1. The Absolute Scarcity and Non-Substitutability of Time
This is the core point. In Naval’s worldview, you can use leverage to amplify your wealth, your influence—but time, especially dedicated time with specific people, cannot be amplified, replicated, or purchased.
- For Children: Childhood lasts only a few years. That journey from babbling to building their own little world is a one-way, irreversible process. Miss those evenings when they clamor for stories, and you miss them forever. You cannot buy back an 8-year-old's dependence and adoration when they are 18. This cannot be outsourced or compensated for later.
- For Parents: Parents age day by day. The time when they are healthy enough to walk, talk, or travel with you is a window constantly closing. We often think "there's plenty of time later," but "later" is fraught with uncertainty. When you reach the point where "you wish to serve your parents, but they are no longer there," no amount of success or wealth can erase that regret.
Therefore, from an input-output perspective, the value of this time is immense because it is “limited edition.”
2. It’s the Best Practice for Combating Anxiety and "Being Present"
Naval strongly advocates "Being Present" as the foundation of happiness. Much modern anxiety stems from the mind oscillating between past and future—dwelling on regrets or worrying about what's to come.
Being with children and parents forces you into the present moment.
- Building blocks with your child demands your full attention, drawn to the small bricks and their excited shouts. It's hard to simultaneously worry about company reports and engage meaningfully in play.
- Listening to parents tell stories of their youth naturally pulls you into their world and emotions.
This total immersion is itself a form of meditation. It provides a temporary, authentic respite from the relentless desires and anxieties surrounding wealth and career, offering real peace and happiness.
3. This is the "End Game" of Life
Let's ask ourselves a fundamental question: What is the ultimate purpose of working relentlessly and pursuing financial freedom?
For many, the answer boils down to: "to provide a better life for my family" or "to have more high-quality time with my family."
Naval suggests we often confuse the means with the end. In pursuing the goal of "being with family in the future," we sacrifice "time with family now." This, he argues, is putting the cart before the horse. He reminds us not to wait until achieving financial freedom to start doing the very thing we sought freedom for in the first place. Happiness isn't a prize at the finish line; it’s scattered along the path toward it.
4. It’s the Highest-Return Emotional Investment
From a more "utilitarian" perspective, a stable, healthy family relationship is your life's safety net and refueling station.
- Facing setbacks or failures in the wider world? The support and understanding of family become your strongest impetus to get back up. It's a harbor offering unconditional acceptance regardless of wealth or poverty.
- People with strong family bonds typically possess greater inner stability and mental resilience. This, in turn, empowers them to make wiser, more far-sighted decisions in their careers.
The emotional return on this investment is unmatched by any commercial venture. The happiness, security, and belonging it provides become internalized, ultimately shaping who you are.
In Summary:
When Naval emphasizes "spend more time with your children, spend more time with your parents," it’s far from a simplistic "family pep talk." It is deeply reasoned, incredibly sincere advice rooted in the fundamental principles of time value, the essence of happiness, life's purpose, and emotional return.
He is telling us: In a world obsessed with leverage and efficiency, the wisest thing is to invest time in those people and things that cannot be amplified by leverage and whose value defies efficiency metrics.