+Why I Ditched Google for Perplexity

I got a few questions following my last letter on the 8-step framework to master any subject. More specifically, Perplexity.AI.

So, I want to provide some additional insights and reasons why it now became my google search replacement before we dive in.

Let’s keep it short and sweet.

Google search is broken.

We've all been there—typing in a simple query only to be bombarded with ads, irrelevant results, and an endless maze of links stuffed with SEO-optimized fluff.

Enter Perplexity AI—the search engine that's been living in my brain rent-free for the past few months.

Why Perplexity is a Game-Changer

Like pretty much everyone here, I’ve been using Google since forever. But a few months ago, I decided to take Perplexity for a spin.

Perplexity vs. Google: The Breakdown

1. Time Efficiency: No more endless scrolling through pages of "meh" results. Perplexity serves up the good stuff, fast.

2. Ad-Free Bliss: My screen is no longer a billboard for products I looked at once three months ago. It's like AdBlock for your entire search experience.

3. Quality Information: It's like having a team of research assistants who actually read the articles before summarizing them for you.

4. Conversation-Style Searches: Ask follow-up questions, clarify points, or go off on fun tangents. It's like chatting with the world's most knowledgeable (and patient) librarian.

5. Source Transparency: Every bit of info comes with receipts. No more wondering if you're reading facts or fiction.

Even though Perplexity is objectively better for most searches, I found myself defaulting back to Google out of sheer muscle memory.

It's kind of like when you get a new phone and keep reaching for the home button that's no longer there. Your muscle memory takes a while to catch up with the upgrade.

The solution?

I finally bit the bullet and set Perplexity as my default search engine.

Game. Changer.

Setting Perplexity as Your Default Search Engine

Here's how to do it in Chrome:

1. Open Google Chrome: Launch the Chrome browser on your computer.

2. Access Chrome Settings: Click on the three vertical dots in the top-right corner to open the menu, then select Settings.

3. Navigate to Search Engine Settings: In the left sidebar, click on Search engine, then select Manage search engines and site search.

4. Add Perplexity AI: Scroll down to the Site search section and click on Add. In the dialog box, fill in the following details:

   • Name: Perplexity AI

   • Shortcut: @perplexity

   • URL: https://www.perplexity.ai/search?q=%s

5. Set as Default: After adding Perplexity AI, click on the three dots next to it in the Site search section and select Make default.

My absolute favorite feature? The ability to ask follow-up questions and brainstorm ideas on the fly. It's like having a never-ending conversation with the world's knowledge base.

For example, let's say you're exploring productivity hacks for entrepreneurs:

1. Initial query: "Best productivity hacks for solopreneurs"

2. Follow-up: "How does time blocking improve productivity?"

3. Deeper dive: "Tools for effective time blocking on a budget"

4. Specific use case: "Case studies of solopreneurs using time blocking to increase efficiency"

With each question, Perplexity serves up relevant, sourced information, allowing you to quickly become an expert on any topic.

My Challenge to You

For the next week, make Perplexity your default search engine. I guarantee you'll be amazed at how much time you save, how much cleaner it is than Google, and how much more relevant information you uncover.

Your productivity (and sanity) will thank you.

Alright. Geek hat off, psychologist hat on.

Why Conor McGregor made me move.

Imagine living in a place where every day feels like you’re bracing for impact.

Cynicism and anxiety were my constant companions, setting the stage for a life where expecting the worst felt like a twisted form of self-protection.

But one day in 2024, everything changed.

I realized I needed to make a move—not a physical one, but an emotional one.

Cultural Differences in Emotional Homes

France vs. USA

Let me take you back to 2011. I moved from France to the USA, chasing the American Dream, hoping to soak up the enthusiasm and positivity that seemed to radiate from every corner.

Americans, with their “can-do” attitude and relentless optimism, were a stark contrast to the more reserved, often cynical outlook I grew up with in France.

But here’s the problem—I only physically moved.

For 13 years, my body was in the land of opportunity, but my mind was still wrapped in a blanket of negativity.

It was like having one foot in each world, never fully belonging to either.

This created a disconnect, a feeling of being out of sync with my surroundings.

The weight of my old emotional home was like a colorless, slightly opaque blanket surrounding my existence, filtering how I interpreted everything around me.

Understanding Emotional Homes

There are three main types of emotional homes:

• Happy

• Neutral

• Unhappy.

Neutral Emotional Home

Most smart people set up camp here. It’s safe. It’s predictable.

They fluctuate between moments of happiness and sadness but always return to their baseline of neutrality. Imagine a typical day where minor events slightly sway your emotions but don’t disrupt your overall balance. It’s like living in a house with beige walls—nothing too exciting, nothing too distressing.

Unhappy Emotional Home

This was my residence for far too long. People who are cynical or anxious often choose an unhappy emotional home because it feels safer to expect the worst. Constantly expecting negative outcomes became my default state, a twisted form of self-protection.

If you expect disappointment, you’re never really disappointed, right? Wrong. It’s like living in a house with broken windows, where the cold wind always seeps in, no matter how many layers you wear.

No matter what happens outside, it wouldn’t be worse than what happens at home. And since you always have to return home, it’s easier this way. Except it’s not.

Happy Emotional Home

Now, let's talk about the happy emotional home. It’s the place where positivity and optimism are the default states.

It’s not about being unrealistic or ignoring life’s challenges. Instead, it’s about choosing to see the good, to focus on solutions rather than problems, and to approach each day with a sense of hope and possibility. It’s like living in a house filled with light, where every room feels inviting and every corner holds a promise of joy.

—

Back to early 2024. I stumbled across this quote:

"At the end of the day, you gotta feel someway so why not feel unbeatable why not feel untouchable why not feel like the best to ever do it."

Conor Mcgregor

This hit me like a freight train. It was a wake-up call.

Why the hell not? Why not choose to feel unbeatable, untouchable?

Why not choose to feel like the best to ever do it?

It was in that moment I realized I had the power to choose my emotional state. It wasn't about what happened to me, but how I perceived and reacted to it.

Think about it. Every day, we’re bombarded with experiences that challenge our emotional equilibrium.

Traffic jams, work stress, personal conflicts. But it’s not the events themselves that dictate our emotional state—it’s our response to them.

McGregor’s words made me see that I could reclaim my emotional sovereignty. I could decide to feel unstoppable, no matter what life threw at me.

You have the choice to decide where you live. Moving to a new emotional home does require a down payment, but it’s not monetary.

The Choice to Move

We have the choice to select our emotional home. This choice requires effort—a non-monetary down payment. You need to furnish your new emotional home with positive habits, thoughts, and behaviors. Here’s how I did it:

1. Acknowledge the Desire to Move

Recognizing the need for change was the first step. I had to admit that my current emotional home was no longer serving me. It’s like realizing that your house is falling apart and finally deciding to move somewhere better.

2. Commit to the Move

I decided to put in the effort daily. It wasn’t going to be easy, but I was determined to make it happen. This is the part where you start packing boxes, throwing out old junk, and envisioning your new life in a better place.

3. Furnish Your New Home

Just like moving into a new house, my new emotional home needed the right furniture. I incorporated positive habits, uplifting thoughts, and behaviors that aligned with my desired state. It was about creating an environment that nurtured my well-being, just like you’d fill your new home with comfy furniture, vibrant art, and everything that makes you feel at peace.

Neuroscience Behind Emotional States

The brain is a remarkable organ. Understanding its role in emotional regulation can empower us to change our emotional homes.

Our brain’s ability to change and adapt supports the possibility of moving to a new emotional home.

Consistent positive practices can rewire the brain to support a happier and more stable emotional state. Imagine your brain as a garden. The more you water and care for the plants, the more they flourish. Neuroplasticity is like gardening for your mind.

Studies now clearly show that activities like

• Mindfulness

• Gratitude

• Positive social interactions

All significantly improve emotional well-being.

Practical Applications

Implementing daily practices like meditation, journaling, and surrounding yourself with positive influences can help rewire your brain for your desired emotional state. Think of these practices as the daily maintenance required to keep your emotional home in top shape.

Just like you wouldn’t let your physical home fall into disrepair, you need to maintain your emotional home with regular care.

If you want to dig deeper with this, I suggest looking into Joe Dispenza’s work. Maybe I’ll do a deep dive on his work soon.

Final Thoughts.

In the end, moving to a new emotional home is a journey. It requires effort, commitment, and the willingness to change. But it’s worth it.

Reflect on your own emotional home. Is it serving you well?

If not, maybe it’s time to pack your emotional bags and move.

Why not feel unbeatable?

Why not feel untouchable?

Why not feel like the best to ever do it?

That is all for today.

Strategizingly yours,

Ben.

P.S. If you found this newsletter helpful, don’t be selfish. Forward it to a friend who needs to hear this message too.

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