Your input determines your outlook, your outlook determines your output, and your output determines your future.
— Zig Ziglar
In computer science and data science there is a concept known by the acronym GIGO. This stands for Garbage In, Garbage Out. What this means is that when you are processing data or other inputs, if your input and data is garbage, your output will also be garbage. While this concept is used a lot for computing, it can also be seen elsewhere in our lives.
We can see this concept in our health. If you regularly eat healthy food, you will get more healthy and strong. However, if you constantly eat junk food, your health to fall apart and you will be weak and sick.
GIGO applies just as readily to our diet of information and ideas. The philosophies we embrace and the ideas we consume will, in large part, determine the quality of life we experience.
This does not mean that following the right philosophy will guarantee you a life free of trouble. We have all heard of people who live a very healthy lifestyle and still experience cancer or other unforeseen illnesses.
What it does mean is that when we embrace philosophies and ideas that bring out the best in us. They will help us be better equipped to make the most out of our lives and overcome the challenges we will surely encounter along the way.
No one ever became the best version of themselves on accident.
The best people you know, the ones who truly help others and who make significant positive impact on the world, have all done so by consuming a steady diet of ideas that have helped them become the best version of themselves. You can do the same as you feast on powerful ideas that help you to be the best version of yourself.
What regular inputs do you have that are the equivalent of junk food? How can you reduce them? What regular inputs do you have that help you be your best self? How can you increase them?