Jordan Peterson: What To Do To Be Successful

Summary

In this insightful talk, the speaker explores the concept of success and how to achieve it. While IQ is largely unchangeable, maintaining physical health and exercising are key to staving off cognitive decline. The importance of conscientiousness is emphasized, particularly industriousness, and the speaker suggests using micro-habits and goal-setting to improve this trait. A structured life plan, including clear goals, personal motivations, and a balanced schedule, is presented as a practical approach to personal growth. The speaker also highlights the importance of self-awareness, setting meaningful goals, and avoiding vague plans to prevent failure.

Takeaways

• 😀 **IQ** can't be significantly improved, but **physical exercise** helps prevent cognitive decline as we age.
• 💪 **Exercise** is crucial for brain health, both aerobic and anaerobic activities contribute to maintaining cognitive function.
• 🏆 **Conscientiousness** is a major predictor of success, with **industriousness** (work ethic) being the stronger of its two components.
• 🎯 Setting **clear, meaningful goals** that align with your values is essential for sustained motivation and success.
• 🔄 **Micro-habits** are powerful: break down long-term goals into small, daily tasks that build towards your vision over time.
• 🧠 The **dopaminergic reward system** helps you stay motivated when you see progress toward your goals, so choose goals that excite you.
• ⏰ Creating a **schedule** that balances **work and reward** ensures productivity while maintaining your well-being and motivation.
• ❌ Avoid **vague goals**—you must specify your goals clearly to avoid willful blindness and to track your progress effectively.
• 📅 A **structured daily routine** can lead to positive feedback loops, but flexibility is key. Be realistic and adjust when needed.
• 🏅 Aim for **incremental improvement**: even a 1% better performance each week can lead to significant long-term growth.

Q & A

Can IQ be improved through brain training exercises?

No, there is no substantial evidence that brain training exercises improve IQ. While these games may help improve performance on similar games, they don't lead to cognitive improvement in more complex tasks or long-term IQ enhancement.

How can you prevent IQ from decreasing with age?

Physical exercise is the best known method to prevent a decrease in IQ as you age. Both anaerobic (e.g., weightlifting) and aerobic exercises improve brain function by increasing oxygen flow and reducing cognitive decline.

What is the most important factor for lifetime success?

Conscientiousness, particularly industriousness, is the most significant predictor of long-term success. Industriousness is the drive to get things done, and although it has a genetic component, it can be developed through habits and goal-setting.

How can one improve their industriousness?

Industriousness can be improved by setting specific, meaningful goals and breaking them down into micro habits. These goals should align with your values and provide intrinsic motivation to work toward them.

Why is it important to set clear goals in life?

Setting clear goals is crucial because it gives direction and purpose to your actions. Without clear goals, you risk aimlessly moving through life and potentially missing valuable opportunities. Goals also help avoid willful blindness to failure.

How do you set meaningful goals?

Meaningful goals should be aligned with your values and reflect what you truly want in life. They should be specific, challenging, and provide a sense of purpose, driving you to take action. Having a vision for your life makes pursuing those goals worthwhile.

What role does personality play in motivation?

Personality traits influence motivation. For example, extroverts may be motivated by friendships, agreeable individuals by intimate relationships, disagreeable individuals by competition, and open individuals by creativity. Understanding your personality can help tailor motivation to your needs.

How can you effectively use a schedule to improve productivity?

To effectively use a schedule, make sure it reflects the ideal day you want, not just obligations. Balance responsibility with rewards, and adjust the schedule to create a day that motivates you. Consistency is key, but flexibility is important to avoid burnout.

Why should you avoid vague goals?

Vague goals prevent you from measuring progress and recognizing failure. If you keep your goals unclear, you might not realize when you're off track until it's too late. Specific goals help you stay focused and make it easier to identify when you need to adjust your approach.

What is the importance of a 'micro routine' in achieving goals?

Micro routines are small, manageable actions that align with your larger goals. They are important because they break down complex goals into simple tasks that are easier to commit to on a daily basis. Consistent micro routines help build momentum and make progress toward your long-term objectives.