I've been thinking of retiring.

Summary

In this heartfelt stream, Linus reflects on his journey with Linus Media Group, from his early days as a tech enthusiast testing gear to leading a successful company. He expresses deep gratitude for his wife, team, and audience, emphasizing that the people and relationships built along the way are what truly matter. While hinting at retirement, Linus clarifies he’s just shifting his approach to enjoy the process more. Despite his success, he remains committed to his team and the audience, sharing a sense of fulfillment and peace with where he is in life.

Takeaways

• 🎉 Reaching 10 million subscribers is a major milestone, but it doesn't fundamentally change daily life or work routines.
• 💖 Deep gratitude is expressed toward his wife, family, and team for their support and dedication throughout his journey.
• 🧒 Personal childhood experiences of awkwardness and being an outsider shaped his perspective and resilience.
• 💻 Passion for technology has been the core motivation, starting from testing gear to building Linus Media Group into a reputable company.
• 🛠️ Building a company involved balancing creative work with managerial responsibilities, which sometimes limits time for personal tech exploration.
• 🌟 Helping a seriously ill child through a wish foundation was a life-changing experience, highlighting the deeper impact of his work beyond entertainment.
• 🤔 Reflects on the meaning of work, purpose, and legacy, realizing that relationships and influence matter more than material accomplishments.
• 🛑 Occasionally contemplates retirement but chooses to continue creating content out of genuine love for tech and the craft itself.
• 🌍 Critiques mindless consumerism and emphasizes valuing quality, utility, and sustainability over flashy materialism.
• 🫂 Considers audience support, team loyalty, and family well-being as driving forces behind his continued engagement in content creation.
• 🎢 The livestream reflects a mix of emotions including pride, pressure, vulnerability, and introspection, emphasizing authenticity over polished presentation.

Q & A

Why did Linus have a hard time starting the livestream for his 10 million subscriber milestone?

Linus felt immense pressure to create a meaningful and heartwarming message, and he struggled with how to express his thoughts authentically. Despite being a professional writer, he found it difficult to articulate what he truly wanted to say.

How does Linus describe his personal feelings about his success and life achievements?

Linus expresses deep gratitude and considers himself extremely lucky. He feels his life is perfect with an amazing family, colleagues, and followers, and he wouldn’t trade his experiences for anyone else’s.

What example does Linus give to show his humility and relatability?

He shares childhood stories, like getting a nickname from a misunderstanding in grade six and dyeing his hair hot pink in grade eight, showing that he was an awkward and ordinary kid before his success.

What personal experience deeply affected Linus and made him reflect on the purpose of his work?

Linus was involved with a Make-A-Wish project for a sick child. Seeing the impact of helping the child build and enjoy a custom computer made him question the purpose of his work and reflect on the wider impact he can have on others’ lives.

How does Linus describe his relationship with his wife?

He credits his wife as his muse, confidant, and rock. He emphasizes that she has been central to his personal and professional growth, helping him navigate challenges and keeping him grounded.

Why does Linus feel a sense of aimlessness despite his success?

He feels that while he has achieved career and personal milestones, life is full of responsibilities and priorities, making it hard to keep up with all the minutiae of the tech world. He also grapples with questions about legacy and the real impact of his work.

What mistake did Linus acknowledge regarding the AMD 5600 XT issue?

Linus admitted that he didn’t fully understand the firmware update problem and initially miscommunicated it in a video, highlighting how split attention and other responsibilities contributed to the oversight.

How did Linus describe the growth and development of Linus Media Group?

He explained that the company grew from humble beginnings, overcoming financial uncertainty to becoming a recognized business with a loyal team. This growth allowed him to transition from doing tech videos as a hobby to a sustainable career.

What is Linus’ perspective on consumerism and personal purchases?

Linus values practicality and long-term utility over flashy or wasteful purchases. He drives secondhand cars to the ground and prefers items that last, criticizing mindless consumerism, including trends promoted by tech videos.

How does Linus plan to approach his work in the future?

He intends to continue making tech videos out of passion rather than obligation, focusing on enjoyment rather than looking for external purpose or validation. He is not retiring but wants to take a different, more fulfilling approach.

Who does Linus credit as constants in his journey to success?

Linus credits three main constants: his wife for her support and guidance, his dedicated team for their commitment and loyalty to the brand, and his audience for their continuous support, which has allowed him to build the life he enjoys.

What key message does Linus want viewers to take away from the livestream?

The key message is that his motivation comes from love for his work, his team, and the people around him, rather than external rewards like money or recognition. He emphasizes enjoying the journey and valuing the people involved more than the accomplishments themselves.