Want some life advice? Take control of your life! We’ve heard that one before. But what does it mean? Well, here are my thoughts: taking control of your life means, on a most basic level, not relying on others for sustenance. Beyond that, tune your body and mind to become the best version of you that you can be.

How do you get to that level? I think this compilation video of Jordan Peterson perfectly sums it up. In his vintage, beautifully articulate way, Peterson explains what we all need in life to be happy, and how to get there. The practicalness of how he describes ways people can achieve a fulfilled and rewarding life is what struck me most. It may be the most important video you ever watch for accomplishing your ‘purpose’… I don’t say that lightly.

Throughout the compiled lectures in the video, Jordan Peterson explains the critical nature of responsibility in our pursuit of happiness, how to lead others in a respectful way, the importance of certain relationships, and how to truly harness our most primal motivations.

 

Takeaways from This Fantastic Compilation of Jordan Peterson Lectures

1. To be happy, you better have many of these things in your life:

  • Family
  • Friends
  • Career
  • Educational Goals
  • Plans for time outside of work
  • Attention to your mental and physical health

If you don’t have any of these things, he explains, all you’ll have is misery and suffering.

 

2. Do you even know who you want to be?

It is important to distinguish what goals are needed to be achieved to become who you want to be. Break it down into daily tasks. Peterson states that many people will keep goals vague, so they don’t have to face the fact of failure. But vagueness with goals leads to willful and blind failure.

Anxiety, suffering, and loss is a part of life. These are guaranteed during (and because of) the pursuit of becoming your greatest self. You might say they are critical to the journey, and for making great things happen.

Negotiate with yourself (with incentives) so that when you achieve a task or goal for the day, there’s a reward - a ‘fun’ break, if you will. In my office, we play ping-pong after every few hours of focused work to give our brains a break, refresh and recharge.

 

3. No one can be mentally healthy without a routine.

For example, you need to pick a time to get up; and do not deviate. Otherwise, you dysregulate your circadian rhythms, and they regulate your moods!

Know that a schedule is essential because responsibility is what gives people meaning.

Building on the point of responsibility: Why do you think we all yearn to be parents at some point in our lives? Because we want to be responsible for someone we love.

 

4. Monetarily speaking, the average person is worth about $50 an hour.

And they waste, on average, 6 hours per day. What’s that worth? About $300 per day… wasted. I contend most readers of this site are worth much more if broken down into hourly segments. Be productive. Not being productive will result in suffering and loss.

 

5. From a leadership perspective, entrepreneurs need to teach their team members to stand up to the things which scare them.

That’s how they get exponentially stronger.

 

6. Peterson asks, what would happen if you abided by your conscience for 5 or 10 years?

Most people don’t. Imagine the life you would have, the family, the achievements…

Following your conscience will lead to amazing things personally. What’s more, by following it, the fate of the people in your world/network changes substantially as well. You are at the center of a network, explains Peterson, and following your conscience can impact a whopping billion people, in ways you can’t fully comprehend.

The things that you do and don’t do are far more important than you likely know!

 

7. The most fundamental motivators for people…

These are very important to know so you can understand what drives your spontaneous motivations and desires. We all have these, with varying degrees of importance:

  • Hunger
  • Thirst
  • Pain
  • Anger/Aggression
  • Thermoregulation
  • Panic/Escape
  • Affiliation/Care
  • Sexual Desire
  • Exploration
  • Play

 

8. Learn how to negotiate.

It is incredibly important in everyday life and the business world. Entrepreneurs know the importance of this one… at least they better.

 

Jordan Peterson has a brilliant mind. And this video compilation of his lectures shows it off well. He breaks down, very clearly, what makes for a full and joy-filled life. By understanding our most basic of motivations, we learn a lot about our behaviours and how to correct them so to achieve our full potential. An excellent video for all.

Stay hungry,

 

 

 

Aaron

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