Optimize for f'(x), not f(x)

Often times, we tunnel vision to optimize for some yardstick. Those in the rat race often don't realize they are chasing status games, grades, money (non-exhaustive list), for some perceived local maxima, peak, in the f(x) graph.

Rather, especially for young people, we should optimize for f'(x) — gaining as many new experiences and diverse perspectives as possible. Obsessing over some perceived happiness that can be derived from a future gain of some spike in f(x) (whatever you're chasing, e.g. money), will likely lead to unhappiness and a realization that this was not what you were looking for to begin with.

Life's too beautiful to not embrace the changes we go through in life. Collect experiences, not things.