Tony Robbins | Find Your True Gift: The 3 Gifts

Summary

The speaker emphasizes the importance of balancing life and enterprise management, challenging the cultural pursuit of success at the expense of fulfillment. They highlight the irony of economic success not equating to freedom or happiness, urging individuals to assess their true gifts and passions. The talk explores the distinction between natural and unnatural problems in business and life, advocating for a reevaluation of one's path to ensure it leads to an extraordinary, personally fulfilling life, rather than just a successful one.

Takeaways

• 🏆 The speaker emphasizes the importance of balancing life and enterprise management, suggesting that success in one does not necessarily equate to fulfillment in life.
• 💼 Many people prioritize their enterprise over their life, which can lead to economic success but not necessarily personal fulfillment.
• 🤔 The speaker questions the cultural pull towards success and asks the audience to evaluate if they have achieved business success at the expense of personal freedom.
• 🔍 It's crucial to assess whether the problems one faces are natural or unnatural, as this can indicate whether they are facing typical challenges or issues that should have been resolved at earlier stages of development.
• 🌟 The speaker encourages the audience to identify their real gifts and passions, as these are what will truly fulfill them, rather than merely following a script that involves having an enterprise.
• 🚀 Success in business can sometimes lead to increased demands, potentially making individuals feel more stressed and unfulfilled, despite their achievements.
• 💡 The speaker suggests that achieving a dream or goal can sometimes lead to disappointment if it does not bring the expected happiness or fulfillment.
• 📚 Michael Gerber's concept from 'The E-Myth' is mentioned, highlighting that many people are not true entrepreneurs but believe they should be, which can lead to business failures.
• 🚦 The speaker advises separating the vehicle (the means to achieve success) from the outcome (the fulfillment and freedom desired), emphasizing the need to identify what truly fulfills an individual.
• 💎 The story of Steve Wynn and a crystal shop owner illustrates how different paths can lead to a fulfilling life, with the latter choosing a lifestyle that allows him to pursue his passions without the stress of a large business.
• 🧩 The speaker concludes by urging the audience to consider their own gifts and passions, and to determine which aspects of their life will bring them the most fulfillment, rather than simply pursuing what is traditionally considered successful.

Q & A

What is the main message of the script?

The main message is to emphasize the importance of balancing life and enterprise management, and to encourage individuals to pursue what truly fulfills them rather than just chasing economic success.

Why does the speaker believe that many people are unfulfilled despite economic success?

The speaker believes that many people are unfulfilled because they focus on achieving success in their enterprise, which can lead to stress and lack of fulfillment if it doesn't align with their true nature and gifts.

What example does the speaker use to illustrate the concept of natural and unnatural problems?

The speaker uses the example of a child having bladder control issues as a natural problem, whereas an adult with the same issue has an unnatural problem. Similarly, a new business with cash flow challenges faces a natural problem, while an established business with the same issue faces an abnormal, potentially life-threatening problem.

What does the speaker suggest is the most important element for achieving an extraordinary life?

The speaker suggests that the most important element is to evaluate where you truly are in your life today, determine where you want to go, and identify what will create an extraordinary life on your own terms.

How does the speaker illustrate the difference between achieving a goal and finding fulfillment?

The speaker illustrates this by asking how many people have achieved a dream only to find themselves thinking, 'Is this all there is?' This highlights the pain of achieving success without feeling fulfilled.

Who is Michael Gerber and what point does the speaker make by referencing him?

Michael Gerber is the author of 'The E-Myth.' The speaker references him to highlight that many people believe they should be entrepreneurs because it's seen as attractive and successful, but this may not truly fulfill them.

What story does the speaker share about Steve Wynn and the crystal shop owner?

The speaker shares a story about meeting a crystal shop owner who used to have a stressful business but now enjoys a fulfilling life by skiing every day and running a small crystal business. This owner has a billionaire lifestyle without the stress of managing a large enterprise.

What does the speaker mean by 'separate the vehicle from the outcome'?

The speaker means that one should distinguish between the means of achieving success (the vehicle) and what truly fulfills them (the outcome). It's important to find a path that aligns with personal fulfillment rather than just external success.

What are the three abilities the speaker mentions that individuals may have?

The three abilities are: being an artist with unique skills or products, being good at management and leading people, and being an entrepreneur who can take risks and create a vision.

What critical question does the speaker pose to the audience?

The critical question is: 'What fulfills you the most?' This question aims to help individuals identify what truly brings them satisfaction and joy in life, beyond just achieving success in their enterprise.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 Balancing Life and Enterprise Success

The speaker emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between personal life and business success. They highlight the common cultural push towards prioritizing enterprise over life, which often leads to economic success without fulfillment. The speaker challenges the audience to evaluate their real gifts and whether their current path aligns with their true nature. They discuss the difference between natural and unnatural problems in business and life, urging the audience to assess their stage of development and realign their goals for an extraordinary life that brings happiness and fulfillment, not just success.

05:04

🎯 Reevaluating Fulfillment and Life's Purpose

This paragraph delves into the concept of fulfillment and the pursuit of one's true calling. The speaker encourages the audience to consider whether they are truly entrepreneurs or if they are simply following a perceived attractive path. The importance of distinguishing between the means (the enterprise) and the end (fulfillment) is underscored. The speaker uses the example of Steve Wynn and another individual who chose a different path to illustrate that there are various ways to achieve a fulfilling life. The paragraph concludes with a call to reflect on one's gifts and passions, and to question whether the pursuit of a large enterprise is the most fulfilling path for each individual.

Keywords

💡Life and enterprise management

This concept refers to the balance between personal life and professional endeavors. In the video, it is suggested that a successful life is not just about economic success but also about personal fulfillment. The script emphasizes the importance of creating a system that allows for success in both areas, highlighting the irony that economic success may not equate to fulfillment.

💡Cultural pull

Cultural pull refers to the societal influences that drive individuals towards certain behaviors or goals, often associated with success and recognition. The video discusses how the culture often encourages people to pursue what is deemed successful, which may not necessarily lead to personal freedom or happiness.

💡Fulfillment

Fulfillment in this context is the state of being satisfied and happy with one's life and achievements. The script points out that success in business does not guarantee fulfillment, and it is crucial to evaluate what one's real gifts are that can lead to a truly fulfilling life.

💡Economic success

Economic success is the achievement of financial prosperity and wealth. The video contrasts economic success with personal fulfillment, noting that while one may achieve great economic success, it may not necessarily result in a sense of freedom or happiness.

💡Stress

Stress is a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from demanding circumstances. The script uses stress as an indicator of imbalance between life and enterprise, suggesting that pursuing an enterprise at the cost of personal well-being can lead to a stressful life.

💡Natural and unnatural problems

The video differentiates between problems that are expected or 'natural' at certain stages of life or business, and those that are 'unnatural' or indicative of deeper issues. For example, a new business facing cash flow issues is natural, whereas an established business with the same problem suggests an abnormal challenge.

💡Development stage

Development stage refers to the current phase of growth or progress in one's life or business. The script encourages individuals to understand their current development stage to identify whether they are facing natural growing pains or more serious, unnatural problems.

💡Extraordinary life

An extraordinary life is one that is exceptional and fulfilling beyond the ordinary. The video challenges the audience to define what an extraordinary life means to them and to pursue it on their own terms, rather than following someone else's dream or societal expectations.

💡Entrepreneur

An entrepreneur is an individual who creates a new business, bearing the risks and rewards of a startup. The script mentions that not everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur, and it is important to separate the desire to be one from the actual fulfillment it may or may not bring.

💡Risk

Risk in this context refers to the potential for loss or failure associated with starting and running a business. The video uses the example of Steve Wynn to illustrate the ability to take large risks and succeed, but also to contrast it with the idea that not all risks lead to fulfillment.

💡Quality of life

Quality of life encompasses an individual's overall well-being, including their physical health, emotional state, and life satisfaction. The script suggests that while overachievers may strive to do it all, it is essential to consider the impact on one's quality of life and whether the pursuit of success is truly fulfilling.

Highlights

The importance of balancing life and enterprise management for overall success.

The cultural pull towards prioritizing enterprise over life fulfillment.

The irony of economic success not guaranteeing personal fulfillment.

The common experience of business success leading to increased demands and stress.

The need to evaluate one's true nature and whether an enterprise aligns with it.

The concept of 'natural' and 'unnatural' problems in business and life stages.

The significance of understanding the current stage of development in life and business.

The challenge of distinguishing between achieving a dream and finding true fulfillment.

The pain of achieving goals without happiness and the need to reassess life direction.

Michael Gerber's perspective on why many businesses fail due to a misunderstanding of entrepreneurship.

The necessity to separate the vehicle (means) from the outcome (fulfillment).

Steve Wynn's example of taking large risks and achieving major success.

The story of a man who chose passion over stress, leading to a fulfilling lifestyle.

The idea of structuring life to include time for family, passions, and personal fulfillment.

The question of identifying one's true gifts and talents for fulfillment.

The importance of understanding whether one excels in artistry, management, or entrepreneurship.

The overachiever's dilemma of doing it all versus focusing on what truly fulfills.

The ultimate question of what constitutes an extraordinary life on one's own terms.

Transcripts

This is life AND enterprise management.

And so, as a result,

we want to make sure we work on both.

We want to create a system that allows you to succeed in both areas: life

and your enterprise.

By the way, which one would you say is more valuable? ("Life!") Which one? ("Life!")

That's not how most people live the game.

Most people make it the enterprise.

And as they make it the enterprise,

they wake up and they have a tremendous amount of

economic success-if they're successful

and what's ironic is what makes you successful may not make you fulfilled.

And so, there's a big pull in our culture to go for what's most successful,

what will reward you culturally

with respect or acknowledgement or stars on your chart or economic rewards

thinking that will give us freedom,

but how many of you have been very successful in business and not been free?

I.e.,

your business, as it got more successful, demanded even more from you?

How many of you have had this experience? Say "aye." ("Aye.")

So what I really want to make sure comes out of this

is an evaluation of what your real gifts are that are going to fulfill you,

because many of you are living a script around your life

that involves having an enterprise

when really that may not be your true nature.

That's not to say you can't do it.

It just means you can do it and you'll be stressed out of your life,

stressed out of your mind.

And so, one of the things we want to find out is how much of that is natural

as a problem.

How much of that is maybe unnatural?

Unnatural meaning

you're having problems right now that you shouldn't be having at this stage of development.

Think about it: if a child is brand new

and have a problem with controlling their bladder,

that's a natural problem, isn't it?

But, if you're fifty and you have this problem,

you've got a challenge! If a brand new business has a cashflow challenge,

it's a problem, but it's a natural problem.

If it's a business that's been around 5 or 10 years and it's got a cashflow problem,

you've got a real abnormal problem. Maybe you've got a problem that's even life-threatening

to the business.

How many follow what I'm talking about here?

Sometimes, those problems have to do with the fact that you don't understand

the stage of development you're in. The most important element is for you to be able to do this:

to be able to establish, most importantly,

where you really are in your life today.

Where are you

and where do you really want to go?

What's going to create this extraordinary life

and to look at it brand new,

because some of you right now, if you continue the direction you're going,

are going to be successful and unfulfilled, unhappy and stressed,

because once we get, you know, into a dream,

then that dream starts to take on a life of its own. It gives us juice,

it gives us energy, but

how many ever got the dream,

achieved your goal,

and then thought, "is this all there is?" How many have ever had this experience? Say "aye." ("Aye.")

That's more painful than not even achieving it!

'Cause now you've done, you've worked it out, you're successful and you're not happy.

So, for some of you, you're gonna need to take a look at that.

Michael Gerber, the guy who wrote The E-Myth, talks about why so many

businesses, young businesses fail, and one of these things he says is most people

are not really entrepreneurs, but they think that's what they should be.

They think that's the sexy thing, that's the most attractive thing,

that's the best answer.

And when I say to you is you've got to separate the vehicle

from the outcome.

What is it that's going to truly fulfill you? What is it that's going to give you that

extraordinary life?

What's going to make things magnificent on your terms, not somebody else's terms,

not your father, your mother, your background.

What is that really?

Separate the vehicles, as there's many ways to get that vehicle.

I was here in town just the other day and I met a gentleman over here.

Steve Wynn's a good friend of mine who started

well, basically, built most of Las Vegas. And he built just recently, you know,

the Wynn Casino a few years back.

2.7 billion dollar hotel.

The most expensive individual building ever personally financed. Individually financed.

To give you an idea, the first estimates on the rebuilding of the World Trade Center

were $1.7 billion. $2.6 billion for a hotel.

Right, this man has

the ability to take large risks

and he has the ability to really succeeded in a major way.

But I bring that up because I was in town and

for our new home we were getting some...

We have these hot springs, we were getting some really large crystals and

there's a guy in town that has this crystal shop, right?

But you've got to make an appointment to see the guy!

It's unbelievable, so I get to know him and talk to him and find out he's great friends with Steve.

He's been skiing with Steve for 20 years. This guy used to have this business.

He sold the business. Didn't actually make that much money, but he was tired of the stress of the business

And he said "I'm just going to do what I love." And what I love to do is ski. Everyday.

So, what he did was he started his little crystal business, made plenty of money, you know

this litte business, set aside some money from his previous business and he

gets up every day and skis, has a blast,

and he has this unbelievable lifestyle.

Because, you know he's Steve Wynn's guest everywhere. He flies on the Gulfstream,

doesn't have to pay for it.

Doesn't pay the insurance, doesn't have to pay for the fuel, doesn't worry about maintenance,

managing it, or anything.

And he's telling me about all these things he does in his life. He has a billion-dollar lifestyle.

Billionaire's lifestyle.

But he structured his life in a way that's fulfilling, where he as time for his grandkids

where he has time for his wife, where he has time for his passions,

but he just does it in a different way. He had this big dream, he said, of making this gigantic business

and all it did was stress him out.

Now, I'm not saying that's the answer for you,

but I'm saying sometimes you gotta reevaluate what's going to really make

you fulfilled.

What is your gift?

Are you an artist, are you the talent

that can produce something no one else produces—a skill or product or service

or some impact?

Are you incredibly good at management?

You really know how to manage or lead people.

Are you an extraordinary entrepeneur that can take that gigantic gut load of risk

and can create the vision and attract the talent that you need and the managers

and leaders.

You may have all three abilities,

but which one really fulfills you the most

is going to the critical question.

'Cause we tend to want to do them all, especially with a room like this

because you're all overachievers, right? Me too.

And you say, "Well, I can do all these."

Yes, you can,

but what will it do to your quality of life?

See, again,

the secret's going to be this:

what is an extraordinary life on your terms today?