"سه اعتیاد زیان آور اصلی هروئین کربوهیدراتها و حقوق ماهانه هستند"

The central idea of this quote is that certain things we often rely on or take for granted can become deeply addictive and potentially harmful, much like the way drugs can ruin lives. It’s suggesting that heroin, carbohydrates, and a steady paycheck can all create dependencies that might stifle our growth and freedom in different ways.

This quote comes from Nassim Nicholas Taleb, a renowned essayist, scholar, and statistician known for his work on randomness, risk, and uncertainty. Taleb’s perspective is that these things—though seemingly unrelated—can limit our potential and trap us in unhealthy patterns. Heroin is obviously a destructive physical addiction. Carbohydrates, particularly refined ones, can lead to health issues like obesity and diabetes. The monthly salary, while providing financial stability, can sometimes prevent people from taking risks that could lead to more fulfilling careers or lives.

Imagine you’re working at a job you don’t love. The salary is decent, it pays the bills, but you’re not passionate about the work. You daydream about starting your own business, but the security of that regular paycheck keeps you from making the leap. That’s the “addiction” Taleb’s talking about. It’s the comfort, the fear of losing that security, that holds you back from potentially finding something better.

Take the real-life example of Sarah, a graphic designer who always wanted to launch her own design studio. She had a stable job at a big firm, good benefits, and a predictable income. The security was comforting, like a warm blanket. But every day, she felt unfulfilled and frustrated. It took a major restructuring at her firm—and the loss of her “safe” job—for Sarah to finally take the plunge. She used her severance pay as a cushion and started her own studio. Now, she’s thriving, creatively satisfied, and making more money than she ever did at her old job. It was scary at first, but breaking free from the addiction of that monthly salary allowed her to achieve her dreams.

So, how do you apply this wisdom to your own life? Start by identifying what might be holding you back. Are you stuck in a job because of the paycheck, even though it’s not what you want to do? Think about small steps you can take towards your goal. Maybe it’s saving a bit more each month to create a safety net, or starting a side hustle in your spare time. The key is to not let the comfort of stability stop you from seeking out something potentially more rewarding.

Let’s say you’re in your mid-thirties, working a nine-to-five job. You’ve always wanted to write a novel, but the predictability of your current job keeps you from making that leap. You worry about the financial instability and what others might think if you pursued a seemingly impractical dream. It’s a tough spot, right? But think about it: what if you started dedicating just 30 minutes a day to writing? In a year, you might have a rough draft. You could use your vacation time to attend a writer’s workshop. The idea is to break free from the mental chains of that comforting, yet potentially stifling, monthly salary.

Life’s about balance. Yes, we need stability, but we also need to recognize when we’re just coasting because it’s the easy thing to do. Sometimes, the most significant growth happens when we step out of our comfort zones and take risks.