Cem Hurturk
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The Power of Privacy: Why You Should Keep Your Plans to Yourself

The Power of Privacy: Why You Should Keep Your Plans to Yourself

Sharing everything about your life creates unnecessary hurdles and invites unwanted interference.

Strategic Silence Builds Momentum

Privacy creates a buffer zone for personal growth. Most successful people work on their goals in secret. Warren Buffett lived in the same house for decades despite being a billionaire. Naval Ravikant built multiple successful companies before going public. This allows for focused execution without external pressure.

Active Listening

Most conversations become one way monologues. At a recent dinner party I noticed the most respected person hardly talked about himself. Instead he asked thoughtful questions about others projects. By the end of the night everyone felt connected to him while knowing very little about his life.

Private Progress = Better Results

Research in psychology shows that sharing your goals too early can reduce the motivation to achieve them. The brain gets satisfaction from sharing which can decrease the drive to actually do the work. Keeping goals private keeps the tension needed for achievement.

The Two Way Benefits of Being Reserved

Personal privacy protects your energy and builds stronger relationships. When meeting new people ask them about their interests. They feel heard and valued. You get valuable insights and perspectives. The conversation becomes an exchange not a performance.

Ancient Wisdom in Modern Times

Historical figures across cultures emphasized discretion. Benjamin Franklin wrote about the value of keeping intentions private. Marcus Aurelius advised not to seek validation from others. These principles still apply in today’s hyper connected world.

Wise Words

Sometimes wisdom comes from those around us. My wife’s early advice on privacy was spot on. She showed me that sometimes the best advice comes from those who know us best and have our back.

My Random Thoughts

It’s Not About The Outcome

It’s Not About The Outcome

Most people don’t achieve their dreams because they focus on the outcome. Like Neo trying to bend the spoon in The Matrix, the more we try to force the result, the more it slips away. When we focus on the end goal we create mental barriers that make it feel impossible.

11/4/2024
Consistency Through AI-Powered Systems: Buying Back Your Time in the AI Era

Consistency Through AI-Powered Systems: Buying Back Your Time in the AI Era

Consistency is the proven path to exponential outcomes, but creating consistency used to be hard. Not anymore. We're living in the best time in history to build systems that work for us—thanks to AI. In this post, I explore how systematizing your daily actions with AI can reduce your time spent to 1/10 or even 0/10, buying back your time while building the consistency that drives real results.

10/20/2025
Anger Doesn’t Change the Flow of Life

Anger Doesn’t Change the Flow of Life

I used to believe that pushing harder—controlling every detail, reacting fast, fighting outcomes—was the way to get what I wanted in life. But over time, I’ve learned that anger doesn’t change reality, it just drains you. Life moves like a river, with its own current, and the more you resist it, the harder things become. This post is a reminder to myself to stop fighting, let go of the need to control, and trust the flow instead. Peace comes not from force, but from learning to steer with the current—not against it.

4/21/2025