Morgan Housel: What You Need to Master (And Avoid) to Get Rich, Stay Rich, and Build Wealth

Writing Process

Morgan Housel's writing process is unconventional but effective. He writes each sentence to completion before moving on, contrasting with the common practice of drafting and then editing. This meticulous approach ensures that by the time he finishes a post, it's nearly a final draft 1. Housel also emphasizes writing for oneself rather than pandering to an audience, which helps maintain authenticity and emotional resonance 2.

Write a sentence that moves you, that makes you. When you read it, you're like, I like that. Without thinking about anyone else.

--- Morgan Housel

This philosophy, combined with his awareness of readers' impatience, shapes his concise and impactful writing style.

   

Storytelling

Housel believes that storytelling is a powerful tool for making information memorable and relatable. He argues that stories are easier to remember and contextualize than statistics, which is why they resonate more deeply with people 3. He draws inspiration from comedians, who he considers some of the smartest observers of human nature. Their ability to convey profound truths through humor without appearing arrogant is something he admires and emulates in his writing 4.

The best comedians are some of the smartest people in society. They understand psychology.

--- Morgan Housel

This blend of storytelling and psychological insight makes his work both engaging and enlightening.

   

Testing Ideas

Testing ideas is a crucial part of Housel's writing process. He often uses Twitter to gauge the initial reception of his thoughts, which can then be expanded into blog posts and eventually book chapters if they resonate well 5. This iterative approach is similar to how comedians test their material in small clubs before performing on bigger stages. Housel acknowledges that even after years of writing, he can't always predict which pieces will be successful, making this testing phase invaluable.

The biggest, most popular blog posts I've ever written were always ones where when I was writing it, I was like, I don't think this is any good.

--- Morgan Housel

This method allows him to refine his ideas and ensure they have the desired impact.

   

Reading Habits

Housel's reading habits are guided by a principle of wide exploration and strict filtering. He starts reading any book that piques his interest but has no qualms about abandoning it if it doesn't hold his attention 6. This approach helps him discover unexpected gems while avoiding the trap of feeling obligated to finish every book. He also finds Kindle particularly useful for its ease of highlighting and searching, which aids his writing process 7.

You have no excuse to not try any book and then just mercilessly cut it off if it's not working for you.

--- Morgan Housel

This strategy ensures that he only spends time on books that truly add value to his knowledge and work.