Dwight Schrute Is My Life Coach
Sometimes the most profound wisdom comes from the unlikeliest sources. Case in point: the comedy show The Office (US) has given me two pieces of advice I rely on constantly.
Don’t be an idiot
Michael asks his protégée Dwight what the best piece of advice he ever gave him was.
“Don’t be an idiot” he replies without hesitation. “Changed my life”.
It’s played for laughs – highlighting the absurdity that Dwight never independently considered this himself.
Dwight continues: “Whenever I’m about to do something, I think ‘would an idiot do that?’ And if they would, I do not do that thing.”
It’s a beautifully simple mental model – and surprisingly effective.
I use it multiple times a week:
- About to cross a road before the lights turn red while drunk? Would an idiot do this? Yes. So don’t do it.
- Considering overtaking a slow car on a somewhat blind country lane? Would an idiot do this? Yes. So don’t do it.
- Tempted to drink two Monster Energy drinks in one day? Would an idiot do this? Yes. So don’t do it.
While many mental models are complicated – requiring deep understanding of unconscious biases, psychology, and yourself – this one is exquisitely simple. It cuts through complexity and works in the heat of the moment.
“Would an idiot do this?” This single question has helped me avoid countless dangerous situations and poor decisions.
If I can’t scuba…
In another episode, a rumors spreads throughout the office that Creed has asthma. He’s worried. “If it gets out, they won’t let me scuba. If I can’t scuba, then what has this all been about? What am I working toward?”
Me and my girlfriend are currently looking to buy our first home. I’ll often say: “If I can’t scuba…” Meaning: if I can’t get a house with a bath and a garden, then what are we doing here? What’s the point?
Scuba diving is Creed’s guiding light for life. It’s his non-negotiable that makes all the nonsense tolerable and all his hard work worthwhile.
We all need our own version of scuba – our minimum viable product for living.
It can be anything you love that always sparks joy. An expensive iced coffee on a Saturday morning. Spending every evening with your child. A twice-yearly holiday to Malta. A car with 500+ BHP. Helping underprivileged children.
The specifics don’t matter. What matters is identifying what’s non-negotiable for your happiness. Without your “scuba,” life will feel more painful and purposeless.
Read this next: 4000 Weeks: Embracing Limits for a Fuller Life