Why I read a book a day (and why you should too): the law of 33% | Tai Lopez | TEDxUBIWiltz

Summary

In this inspiring talk, the speaker emphasizes the transformative power of mentorship in achieving the 'good life'. Drawing on personal anecdotes and historical examples, the speaker illustrates how learning from the experiences of successful individuals can significantly impact one's health, wealth, love, and happiness. The speaker advocates for the 'Law of 33%', engaging with mentors at various stages of life, and stresses the importance of humility, perseverance, and the wisdom found in books. The message is clear: mentorship is a powerful tool for personal and professional growth, and by following certain rules and principles, anyone can find their path to success.

Takeaways

• 🤝 Mentors are powerful catalysts for personal growth and success, capable of transforming lives through their guidance and experience.
• 💡 Success in life can be imagined through hypothetical partnerships with successful individuals like Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, the Dali Lama, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Mother Theresa, emphasizing the impact of mentorship.
• 👵 The importance of role models is illustrated through a personal story about the speaker's grandmother who was inspired by a tenant, Edith Knox, to move to California.
• 🎬 Hollywood is used as a metaphor for the struggle and dreams of many, highlighting the disparity between those who succeed and those who do not.
• 🧐 The speaker's quest for the 'good life' is rooted in Aristotle's concept of eudaimonia, encompassing health, wealth, happiness, and love.
• 📚 The speaker's grandfather imparts wisdom about the complexity of life and the need to seek guidance from multiple mentors rather than expecting to find all answers from a single source.
• 🌍 Travel and reading widely were part of the speaker's journey to gain insights into health, wealth, love, and happiness, emphasizing the value of diverse experiences and perspectives.
• 💼 The speaker's encounter with Mike Steinback, a financial advisor, underscored the importance of seeking mentorship in business and finance to overcome financial struggles.
• 📈 The 'Law of 33%' suggests dividing one's social interactions into thirds: helping those less advanced, interacting with peers, and learning from those significantly ahead.
• 🔝 The '10x Rule' encourages seeking mentors who are ten times more successful than oneself to learn from the best and aim high in one's aspirations.
• 📘 Books are presented as treasure troves of wisdom from great minds, past and present, and the speaker advocates for a selective and repeated reading approach to extract valuable insights.

Q & A

What is the main message of the speaker regarding mentors and their impact on personal success?

The speaker emphasizes that mentors have the power to significantly transform one's life, suggesting that having the right mentors can lead to success in various aspects such as business, investing, happiness, health, and social impact.

How does the speaker's grandmother's story illustrate the influence of a mentor?

The speaker's grandmother was inspired by Edith Knox, a piano player who rented a room in her house. Edith's unconventional behavior, like wearing pants and doing exercises, left a lasting impression on the young girl, influencing her decision to move to California later in life.

What was the speaker's initial approach to finding the 'good life' and why did it change?

Initially, the speaker tried to find one person who had all the answers to designing his life. However, his grandfather advised him that no single person could provide all the answers and instead sent him books, indicating that learning from multiple sources and experiences is essential.

What is the significance of the 'Law of 33%' mentioned by the speaker?

The 'Law of 33%' is a guideline for how to allocate time among different groups of people. It suggests spending 33% of time with those less advanced, 33% with peers, and the remaining 33% with those significantly ahead, who can provide mentorship and inspiration.

What does the speaker mean by the '10x rule' in the context of finding mentors?

The '10x rule' suggests finding mentors who are ten times more successful or advanced in a particular field than you are. This approach is meant to ensure that the mentor is far enough ahead to provide valuable guidance and insights.

How does the speaker describe the importance of humility in the pursuit of success?

The speaker uses the story of Sam Walton, who despite being a billionaire, was found crawling on store floors to learn from others. This illustrates the importance of humility in being open to learning from others, regardless of one's own success.

What role does perseverance play in the speaker's narrative about achieving success?

Perseverance is portrayed as a key factor in achieving success. The speaker shares stories of individuals who did not give up, even in the face of repeated rejection, eventually gaining the mentorship and knowledge that contributed to their success.

Why does the speaker encourage the audience to read more books?

The speaker views books as 'hidden treasure' and a means to access the wisdom of great minds. Reading is presented as a way to gain knowledge and insights from successful individuals, both past and present, to improve one's own life.

What is the significance of the stoic versus epicurean philosophy in the speaker's message?

The speaker contrasts stoicism, which involves delaying gratification for long-term goals, with epicureanism, which focuses on immediate pleasure. The speaker advocates for a stoic approach to achieve the 'good life' by being disciplined and focused on long-term success.

How does the speaker use the poem by Chief Tecumseh to conclude his talk?

The poem by Chief Tecumseh is used to inspire the audience to love, perfect, and beautify their lives, and to serve their people. It reinforces the speaker's message that mentors can help one achieve a meaningful and purposeful life.