A Full Guide To Reinvent Your Life (In 6-12 Months)

Dan Koe
25 Jul 202322:20

Summary

TLDRThe video script delves into the human experience, comparing life to a dark room where candles symbolize moments of clarity. It explores the balance between order and chaos within the mind, the importance of structuring our days to avoid 'psychic entropy,' and the quest for immortality through problem-solving. The narrative emphasizes the significance of self-generated goals, the role of neurotransmitters in motivation and satisfaction, and the necessity of mindfulness and intrinsic values for sustainable happiness. It concludes with the power of creating a vision and learning through action to build a meaningful life.

Takeaways

  • πŸ•―οΈ Life is compared to a dark room where candles represent moments of clarity and direction, but they eventually burn out, symbolizing the need for continuous search for light in the face of fear and uncertainty.
  • 🧠 The human mind naturally leans towards chaos, and clarity emerges from ordered information, highlighting the importance of structuring our thoughts and activities to maintain mental clarity.
  • ⏰ People often feel most miserable during idle times, suggesting that having a structured routine or engaging in activities provides a sense of purpose and mental stability.
  • πŸ’Ό Jobs, despite being a source of complaint, offer a structured state of mind and can be more enjoyable than being alone with one's thoughts, emphasizing the value of routine and engagement.
  • πŸ”„ Entropy, or the tendency towards disorder, is a natural law of the universe, and human efforts to organize and create are essentially attempts to counteract this disorder and extend life and order.
  • πŸ§˜β€β™‚οΈ To combat psychic entropy, or the loss of mental order, practices like meditation and metacognition are suggested to help focus the mind and question thoughts, fostering a sense of control and enjoyment.
  • πŸ‹οΈβ€β™‚οΈ The pursuit of goals, whether self-generated or society-imposed, is a driving force for clarity and fulfillment, with self-generated goals being more aligned with conscious future planning.
  • πŸ’‘ Motivation is transient and linked to the desire for unattainable things, whereas clarity provides a path to achieving goals, suggesting that understanding one's path is more important than the intensity of desire.
  • πŸ’• Dopamine is associated with the desire for things outside of our reach, but other neurotransmitters like serotonin and oxytocin are linked to satisfaction with what we have, indicating a balance is needed between pursuit and appreciation.
  • 🌱 Mindfulness and attention to detail can lead to a deeper appreciation of everyday experiences, providing a sustainable source of satisfaction beyond the fleeting rewards of dopamine.
  • πŸ† Developing an intrinsic philosophy or understanding the deeper meaning behind our pursuits can lead to long-term satisfaction and a more profound sense of fulfillment.

Q & A

  • What is the metaphor used in the script to describe life?

    -Life is compared to a dark room where candles represent the vision and direction that eventually die out, sparking fear unless one moves with faith to find the next candle.

  • How does the script explain the balance between order and chaos in the human mind?

    -The script describes chaos as the default state of the human mind, with clarity emerging as a byproduct of ordered information. The mind is clear when attention is focused on clear matters.

  • Why do people report feeling miserable during a specific time on Sundays?

    -People report feeling miserable between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sundays because it is a time when they typically have nothing to do, leading to a lack of mental structure and clarity.

  • How does the script relate jobs to providing a clear state of mind?

    -Jobs are said to provide a clear state of mind by offering structure and activities that help fill consciousness with ordered information, which is more enjoyable than being alone with one's thoughts.

  • What is the concept of 'psychic entropy' as described in the script?

    -'Psychic entropy' refers to the loss of mental order and clarity, which can lead to negative thoughts multiplying when one is idle or without a structured thought process.

  • What is the cure for the state of mind described as 'unordered' or feeling lost?

    -The cure is learning how to order one's mind through practices like meditation, metacognition, and learning to be alone, which helps in ordering the mind for enjoyment in any circumstance.

  • Why do people not want freedom, but rather autonomy according to the script?

    -People prefer autonomy because they want to create their own limitations rather than having them imposed on them. Autonomy allows individuals to have control over their own lives and the direction they take.

  • What is the difference between motivation and clarity as explained in the script?

    -Motivation is like standing on one side of a canyon, desiring what's on the other side, but without a way to get there. Clarity, on the other hand, is the first plank of the bridge to the other side, providing a clear path to achieve what is desired.

  • How does the script differentiate between enjoyment and pleasure?

    -Enjoyment comes from investing attention and is process-focused, while pleasure comes from spending attention and is outcome-focused. Enjoyment is about progress toward a long-term goal, whereas pleasure is about achieving a goal without effort.

  • What is the significance of developing an 'anti vision' as mentioned in the script?

    -An 'anti vision' helps individuals realize what they don't want in life. It serves as a tool to identify and avoid things that could lead to an undesirable future, thus guiding them towards creating a vision for a future they truly desire.

  • How does the script suggest one should approach learning and building towards their vision?

    -The script suggests writing down specific skills, interests, or topics that align with one's vision, and then learning and building through daily practice and real-world problem-solving, which helps in retaining important information and gaining experience.

Outlines

00:00

πŸ•―οΈ Embracing Life's Uncertainty and the Pursuit of Clarity

The first paragraph delves into the metaphor of life as a dark room, where candles represent the fleeting moments of clarity and direction. It emphasizes the human mind's constant struggle between order and chaos, highlighting that clarity is achieved through focused attention and structured activities. The script discusses the tendency of people to seek external structure, such as work, to avoid the discomfort of inactivity and the resulting 'psychic entropy.' It also touches on the human desire for immortality and the instinct to combat entropy in various forms, including the organization of one's environment. The cure for mental disorder is presented as learning to order the mind through practices like meditation and metacognition, and the importance of autonomy over freedom is underscored. The paragraph concludes by differentiating between motivation, which is short-lived and linked to dopamine, and clarity, which is essential for long-term enjoyment and fulfillment.

05:01

πŸ§˜β€β™‚οΈ Finding Fulfillment in the Present Through Mindfulness and Intrinsic Values

The second paragraph explores the concept of finding satisfaction in the present moment by harnessing neurotransmitters like serotonin and oxytocin, which provide a sense of contentment and appreciation for what one already has. It contrasts the superficial pursuit of pleasure through substances with the sustainable fulfillment derived from mindfulness and an intrinsic philosophy of life. The speaker suggests that by noticing the details in everyday experiences and developing a deeper understanding of one's pursuits, individuals can cultivate a more profound appreciation for their current state. The paragraph also discusses the transformative power of education and learning as a means to transition from materialistic pursuits to a more meaningful and satisfying life. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of balancing dopamine-driven desires with the here-and-now neurotransmitters to achieve a good life.

10:03

🌐 Expanding Perspective for a Vision-Driven Life

The third paragraph focuses on the importance of having a vision for the future and the role it plays in driving progress and enjoyment in life. It introduces the concept of the 'anti vision' as a tool for identifying and eliminating undesirable outcomes in one's life. The speaker outlines a process for creating an anti vision, which includes observing societal habits, reflecting on past experiences, and making a list of things one does not want. The paragraph also emphasizes the need for self-education and skill development as essential components of realizing one's vision. It concludes by highlighting the role of challenge in creating a fulfilling life and the importance of starting projects to learn through real-world problems.

15:06

πŸ› οΈ Building a Life Through Skill Acquisition and Project Momentum

The fourth paragraph discusses the process of turning one's vision into tangible goals and projects, which provide boundaries for creativity and learning. It stresses the importance of identifying specific skills and interests that align with one's vision and the necessity of daily practice to improve and achieve mastery. The speaker explains the role of dopamine in pattern recognition and momentum, which can be leveraged through idea generation and connecting concepts relevant to one's vision. The paragraph also addresses the importance of eliminating noise and focusing on signal information that contributes to one's goals. It concludes by advocating for the development of a personal brand or a one-person business as a starting point for building a meaningful life.

20:08

πŸš€ Actualizing Vision Through Boundaries, Projects, and Real-World Learning

The final paragraph emphasizes the need for boundaries in creativity and the importance of translating goals into tangible projects to provide structure for learning and doing. It encourages viewers to start working on their projects daily, even without full knowledge, as the act of starting is where true learning begins through encountering and solving real-world problems. The speaker suggests that learning by doing is the most effective way to gain expertise and that the enjoyment of the process comes from the dopamine released during problem-solving and the momentum that follows. The paragraph concludes by reminding viewers that they are in control of their vision and should focus on what they can influence, rather than being distracted by external factors beyond their control.

Mindmap

Keywords

πŸ’‘Dark Room

The metaphor of 'dark room' in the script represents the inherent uncertainty and obscurity of life. It suggests that individuals must navigate through the unknown by finding 'candles' or sources of light that provide temporary clarity and direction. The concept is used to illustrate the human journey in search of understanding and purpose amidst the chaos.

πŸ’‘Candle

In the script, 'candle' symbolizes temporary sources of enlightenment and guidance that individuals discover in life. It is a metaphor for the tools or insights that help us see our path for a while, but which may eventually fade away, prompting us to seek new sources of light to continue our journey.

πŸ’‘Faith

'Faith' in the context of the video refers to the belief or trust in one's ability to find the 'next candle' or the next guiding principle in life. It is the confidence that propels us forward even when our current sources of clarity are extinguished, emphasizing the importance of hope and perseverance.

πŸ’‘Order and Chaos

The script contrasts 'order' and 'chaos' to describe the duality of human experience. 'Order' is associated with clarity, structure, and conscious thought, while 'chaos' represents the default state of disorder and confusion. The balance between these two states is crucial for maintaining a clear mind and purposeful direction in life.

πŸ’‘Clarity

'Clarity' is presented as a byproduct of ordered information that fills our consciousness. It is the state of having a clear and focused mind, which is essential for understanding and navigating life's complexities. The script suggests that clarity is achieved when our attention is directed towards clear and structured thoughts or activities.

πŸ’‘Psychic Entropy

'Psychic entropy' refers to the state of mental disorder or lack of structure in one's thoughts and consciousness. It is the result of losing the frame or order of our mind, often experienced when we are idle or overwhelmed by negative thoughts. The script discusses this concept to highlight the importance of maintaining mental order for overall well-being.

πŸ’‘Meditation

In the script, 'meditation' is introduced as a practice that teaches individuals to focus on their breath, which helps in ordering the mind and achieving a state of calmness. It is presented as a tool to combat the unordered state of mind and to enhance self-awareness and mental clarity.

πŸ’‘Metacognition

'Metacognition' is the process of thinking about one's own thinking, and in the video, it is suggested as a method to question and understand our thoughts. This concept is related to gaining control over one's mental processes and is a strategy for ordering the mind and achieving clarity.

πŸ’‘Autonomy

'Autonomy' is the desire for self-governance and the freedom to create one's own limitations and life path. The script contrasts autonomy with mere freedom, suggesting that people seek the ability to make their own choices and set their own goals, rather than having them imposed by external forces.

πŸ’‘Dopamine

In the context of the video, 'dopamine' is a neurotransmitter associated with the reward system of the brain. It is linked to motivation and the desire for things that are out of reach. The script discusses how dopamine can be a driving force behind our dreams and goals but also warns of the potential pitfalls of relying solely on it for motivation.

πŸ’‘Mindfulness

'Mindfulness' is the practice of being fully present and engaged with one's current experience. The script encourages mindfulness in detail, which involves noticing and appreciating the subtleties of life, as a means to counteract the superficial state of mind and to foster a deeper connection with reality.

πŸ’‘Intrinsic Philosophy

An 'intrinsic philosophy' is a personal belief system or set of values that guide one's actions and decisions. The script uses the example of a bodybuilder to illustrate how an initial superficial pursuit can evolve into a deeper, more meaningful engagement with an activity, reflecting an intrinsic philosophy that provides satisfaction beyond the initial goals.

πŸ’‘Learning and Education

'Learning and education' are presented as essential components for personal growth and the realization of one's vision. The script emphasizes the importance of self-education and the development of skills as a means to build a meaningful life and to achieve long-term goals.

πŸ’‘Vision

A 'vision' in the script refers to a clear and compelling image of one's desired future. It serves as a guiding light for daily actions and decisions, helping to focus one's efforts and to create a sense of purpose. The video discusses the process of developing a vision and the importance of aligning one's goals and actions with it.

πŸ’‘Anti-Vision

'Anti-vision' is the concept of identifying and articulating what one does not want in life. It is a tool for self-awareness and for setting boundaries, helping to avoid undesirable outcomes and to clarify one's path towards a positive vision of the future.

πŸ’‘Enjoyment vs. Pleasure

The script differentiates between 'enjoyment' and 'pleasure', with enjoyment being associated with long-term investment of attention and focus on the process, while pleasure is linked to short-term spending of attention and focus on outcomes. The video encourages maximizing enjoyment in life by investing attention in meaningful activities.

πŸ’‘Pattern Recognition

'Pattern recognition' is the ability to identify regularities or patterns in information, which the script suggests can be leveraged to increase dopamine levels and to build momentum towards one's goals. It is a cognitive process that helps in making connections and in recognizing opportunities that align with one's vision.

πŸ’‘Momentum

'Momentum' in the script refers to the progressive increase in motivation and energy that comes from making progress towards a goal. It is the positive feedback loop that arises from achieving small successes, which in turn encourages further action and engagement with one's projects or goals.

Highlights

Life is compared to a dark room where candles symbolize moments of clarity and direction.

The human mind naturally leans towards chaos, with clarity emerging from ordered information.

People often feel most miserable during idle times, such as Sundays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Jobs provide a structured state of mind that can be more enjoyable than solitude.

Humans seek activities that give their mind structure and a sense of purpose.

Psychic entropy occurs when the mind loses coherence, often triggered by inactivity and solitude.

The pursuit of reversing entropy is a fundamental human endeavor aimed at problem-solving and survival.

Meditation and metacognition are tools to combat psychic entropy by ordering the mind.

The desire for freedom is often mistaken for the desire for autonomy and self-imposed limitations.

Sustainable clarity and enjoyment come from self-generated goals and societal alignment.

Motivation is transient, whereas clarity provides a bridge to achieving long-term goals.

Dopamine is associated with the desire for distant goals, while other neurotransmitters provide satisfaction in the present.

Mindfulness in detail allows for a deeper appreciation of everyday experiences.

Developing an intrinsic philosophy can transform superficial pursuits into meaningful ones.

Learning and education are essential for appreciating and deriving satisfaction from one's possessions.

The distinction between enjoyment and pleasure highlights the importance of investing attention for long-term satisfaction.

Having a vision for the future is crucial for maintaining a focused and meaningful life.

Creating an 'anti-vision' helps identify and avoid undesirable life outcomes.

Self-education and skill development are necessary for actualizing one's vision and overcoming challenges.

Writing down specific skills and interests is a step towards building a vision-aligned life.

Pattern recognition and momentum, fueled by dopamine, help in connecting ideas and achieving goals.

Setting boundaries for creativity and turning goals into projects provides a structured approach to learning and building.

Starting projects and learning through encounters with real-world problems is an effective method of skill acquisition.

Transcripts

play00:00

Life is like a dark room.

play00:02

On occasion we find the candles so that we can see,

play00:05

but not for long.

play00:06

The candle provides

play00:07

vision and direction, but the flame will die out,

play00:09

sparking fear in our souls that we will never find our way

play00:12

unless we move with faith that we will find the next candle.

play00:16

The human mind balances between order and chaos.

play00:19

Chaos is our default state.

play00:22

Clarity is the byproduct of ordered information

play00:25

that fills our consciousness.

play00:26

Our mind is clear when what we pay attention to is clear.

play00:30

This is an explanation for human behavior,

play00:33

and it explains why people report that the most miserable

play00:36

part of their lives are on a Sunday between the times of 10 a.m.

play00:40

and 2 p.m.

play00:41

when they have nothing to do.

play00:42

People say that they hate their jobs.

play00:45

Yet jobs provide a clear state of mind

play00:48

that is arguably much more enjoyable than being at home alone

play00:51

with your thoughts.

play00:52

Humans fill their days with activities

play00:55

that structure their mind.

play00:56

We always want to be doing something, seeing people, playing

play00:59

games, writing,

play01:00

designing, creating,

play01:00

preferably investing our attention in something useful.

play01:04

And when we are alone.

play01:05

Psychic entropy ensues.

play01:07

And so entropy is that everything tends towards disorder.

play01:10

Like how one day you will die.

play01:12

One day the sun will die out, one day the universe will die.

play01:15

And you can see that anything

play01:16

tangible will eventually decompose.

play01:19

And that is unless we as humans attempt to reverse entropy.

play01:23

That's all we're really doing here

play01:25

is trying to solve the problems

play01:26

that lead to things falling apart.

play01:28

We're trying to extend our life on this earth.

play01:30

Everything.

play01:32

Even something as small as organizing your bookshelf

play01:35

after it gets dirty is with the larger

play01:38

survival goal in the back of your mind of I need to survive.

play01:41

We need to live as long as possible.

play01:43

We need to become immortal.

play01:44

And that's what really everyone is creating to do.

play01:47

And so psychic entropy is when we lose the frame

play01:51

or the order of our mind

play01:52

by letting go of a coherent line of thought.

play01:54

And this happens more than you think

play01:56

when we are sitting around and without actually doing anything,

play02:00

when we're alone with our thoughts,

play02:01

we may have some structured thoughts occasionally.

play02:04

We may have a coherent line of thought,

play02:06

but eventually that ends that last like 2 to 3 seconds.

play02:09

And then eventually

play02:10

you catch on to a thought

play02:11

and then your thought process goes unconscious

play02:14

and you can't keep track of

play02:15

where your thoughts are going to end up.

play02:17

So our mind grasps at negative thoughts and then they multiply.

play02:21

And so the cure to this state of mind,

play02:23

this unordered state of mind,

play02:25

feeling lost, overwhelmed

play02:26

and anxious, is knowing how to order your mind.

play02:29

It is knowing how to direct your attention.

play02:32

Meditation teaches you to focus on your breath.

play02:34

Metacognition teaches you to question your thoughts.

play02:37

Learning to be alone is learning

play02:38

to order your mind in any circumstance for enjoyment.

play02:41

And I think it's ironic that people think they want to maximize

play02:44

the freedom in their life

play02:45

because that's the opposite of what they want.

play02:47

People don't want freedom. They want autonomy.

play02:50

They don't want limitations projected on them.

play02:53

They want to create their own limitations.

play02:55

And so clarity is the key to enjoyment.

play02:57

But enjoyment is not the only piece of the puzzle.

play03:00

We can enjoy a life that someone assigns to us.

play03:03

We can enjoy working a 9 to 5 job.

play03:05

We can enjoy doing what people tell us to do.

play03:08

But at the end of the day, that does not bring fulfillment.

play03:11

Sustainable long term clarity comes from two sources

play03:15

One is self-generated goals

play03:16

in alignment with a conscious future,

play03:18

and two

play03:18

is society generated goals in alignment

play03:20

with an unconscious future.

play03:22

One is created, one is assigned.

play03:24

If we don't want our life

play03:25

to be the product of someone else's vision,

play03:27

we must create our own.

play03:29

Let's dive in.

play03:30

Most people don't need motivation.

play03:32

They need clarity.

play03:33

Motivation is like standing on one side of a canyon.

play03:36

The other side looks like a utopia.

play03:38

Everything you could ever want beautiful people, music,

play03:41

cars, houses, all calling your name to take the leap.

play03:44

But you don't have a way to get over

play03:46

to the other side of the canyon.

play03:47

Clarity is the first plank of the bridge to the other side,

play03:51

and motivation

play03:52

can be illustrated by the behavior molecule dopamine.

play03:55

When something is far away from us,

play03:57

we desire it more when we do not have it, and when we acquire

play04:01

that thing like a nice house, nice car, nice watch,

play04:04

pretty person,

play04:05

or even something like an internet course or a new book.

play04:08

We feel good for a bit, but then it becomes normal.

play04:11

It becomes a part of our life.

play04:12

It's not something that we desire anymore

play04:14

because we've acquired it.

play04:15

And so we know this as the honeymoon phase, right?

play04:18

When you want something so, so, so bad.

play04:20

And then we finally get it.

play04:21

There's maybe a two week to four week period

play04:24

where you are in love

play04:25

with that thing

play04:26

and not really in love, but more so infatuated with that thing.

play04:29

And now dopamine is not bad.

play04:31

It is one of the most important

play04:33

neurotransmitters to understand in your life, in how you behave.

play04:37

It is the drive behind your dreams and that should be utilized.

play04:41

But most people drown in motivation and they see so many things

play04:44

that are out of their reach

play04:45

every single day, especially on social media.

play04:48

And so over and over again,

play04:49

they waste this precious resource

play04:51

that could be used to act on their dreams

play04:53

and even if they do acquire those dreams, like their fancy car

play04:57

or a nice watch,

play04:59

they don't know how to swap their focus

play05:00

to sustain the enjoyment of that thing

play05:03

because while dopamine is more so raised,

play05:06

when you desire something that is outside of you

play05:08

or something that you do not have,

play05:09

there are other neurotransmitters

play05:11

that are called the here and now.

play05:12

Neurotransmitters like serotonin, oxytocin, endorphins

play05:15

and endocannabinoids

play05:17

that give you satisfaction

play05:18

and appreciation for what's in front of you.

play05:20

The things that you have in your own personal space.

play05:23

And so while some people take drugs like Molly, marijuana,

play05:27

even alcohol, and I'm not judging,

play05:29

I do these things occasionally, too.

play05:30

There are more sustainable ways

play05:32

to bring this satisfaction,

play05:34

fulfillment, enjoyment

play05:35

into your everyday life

play05:36

with the things that you have to appreciate where you are

play05:39

and who you are.

play05:40

The first is mindfulness in detail.

play05:42

So with this, you're

play05:43

trying to notice the detail that your senses can provide

play05:46

because most people are living in this superficial state,

play05:49

everything around them is normal to them.

play05:51

So when you go on a walk,

play05:53

try to see a detail that you've never seen before.

play05:56

Maybe it's in the trees

play05:57

and how the leaves are so detailed or a bush that you've ever

play06:00

you've never actually looked too closely

play06:02

or maybe even the concrete under your feet.

play06:04

We're trying to snap out of the mindless and normal routines

play06:08

that keep us living on the surface.

play06:09

Notice the extravagant details in the leaves of a tree,

play06:12

the blades of grass

play06:13

and the shine of the light on cars

play06:14

as they pass you by

play06:16

when you cook a meal, notice

play06:17

the differences in texture, taste and feel.

play06:19

Try to pick apart the ingredients when listening to a song.

play06:23

Dig deep.

play06:23

Can you hear the subtle layers in the background?

play06:26

Those were intentional by the creator.

play06:28

They want you to notice them.

play06:29

And so you can see why

play06:30

food critics, music lovers and yogis enjoy certain activities

play06:33

so much.

play06:34

It's because they're so immersed in the present moment

play06:36

and their mind is being flooded with the here

play06:38

and now neurotransmitters,

play06:39

which is much more sustainable

play06:41

than constantly pursuing that cheap dopamine hit.

play06:44

And so the mindfulness in detail is really us

play06:46

just trying to get in touch with reality,

play06:49

because reality is an ever flowing quality of experience

play06:52

and we're missing out on the depth of that experience

play06:55

every single day.

play06:56

And so you can apply this strategy

play06:57

when you acquire something new

play06:59

that is borderline boredom, right, because of your pursuits.

play07:02

Maybe you have been pursuing this one thing so long

play07:05

that when you get it and it's it's shine is starting to fade,

play07:08

that if you don't want to put it onto the shelf,

play07:10

you need to learn how to enjoy it.

play07:11

You need to notice a detail in it

play07:13

far beyond just your senses as well.

play07:16

And that leads into point number two,

play07:17

which is developing an intrinsic philosophy.

play07:19

So let's imagine a young bodybuilder.

play07:22

They started going to the gym for vanity,

play07:24

but they stayed for the therapy.

play07:26

They desired a strong esthetic physique

play07:28

so that they could attract a partner and command respect.

play07:31

But after a year or two, their progress drastically slowed down.

play07:35

They built a great body.

play07:36

So what's next?

play07:37

It didn't really change how many people they attracted.

play07:40

Maybe it bumped them up the social hierarchy a bit,

play07:42

but for what?

play07:43

A bit more attention.

play07:44

Is it still worth

play07:45

spending 7 to 8 hours a week on this endeavor

play07:48

so they look inward?

play07:49

What has this brought to my life?

play07:51

Why do I keep showing up every day?

play07:53

Where would I have spent my time otherwise?

play07:55

How has this impacted the people I meet, the conversations

play07:57

I can have, and the career opportunities open to me.

play08:00

They realized that

play08:01

their material pursuit was deeply immaterial as our most.

play08:04

But people glance over that fact.

play08:06

Their pursuit for better

play08:08

gave them an identity that influenced positive decisions.

play08:11

It prevented them from being like

play08:12

the mindless masses who pursue nothing.

play08:15

So the lesson is

play08:16

this It's better to pursue

play08:17

something superficial than it is to do nothing with your life.

play08:20

You either learn what you don't want

play08:22

so you can pursue what you want,

play08:23

or you find depth, meaning and spirituality along the way.

play08:26

And so the third thing here

play08:28

for how to practice appreciation and satisfaction in the moment

play08:31

is learning and education, because 95% of people would scoff

play08:34

at someone who purchases a new car like a Porsche GT3.

play08:37

That's because they only see the surface

play08:40

and they can't open their mind to see that a person's

play08:42

life and identity is more

play08:44

than just a snapshot of that situation.

play08:46

What if the person that bought it was a mechanic?

play08:48

What if they derive a deep satisfaction

play08:51

by digging into the machinery?

play08:53

Now, what if the average Joe made the same purchase

play08:56

but they decided to learn something new?

play08:58

They can learn their way into a deeper crevice

play09:00

of reality through education.

play09:02

They study the car's parts history and how to drive better.

play09:05

They start visiting the track

play09:06

and the car becomes a consistent part of their lifestyle,

play09:08

one that brings enjoyment and flow.

play09:10

They construct a house of meaning

play09:11

under the foundation of material.

play09:13

Most people keep laying a foundation

play09:15

and never build anything worth keeping with this knowledge.

play09:18

The key to the good

play09:19

life is a disciplined balance

play09:20

between meaningful dopamine sources and creating satisfaction

play09:24

when you achieve those goals.

play09:25

So now we need to talk about enjoyment versus pleasure

play09:28

and choosing your dopamine sources wisely.

play09:30

Enjoyment comes from investing attention.

play09:32

Pleasure comes from spending attention.

play09:34

Investments are long term purchases are short term

play09:37

enjoyment is process focused, pleasure is outcome focused.

play09:41

Enjoyment is progress toward a long term goal.

play09:43

Pleasure is achieving a goal without effort.

play09:46

Our goal is to maximize the enjoyment in our everyday life.

play09:50

That's all anyone is trying to do.

play09:52

But most people don't zoom out to gain a perspective

play09:55

that is distraction proof.

play09:56

While pursuing those goals.

play09:58

They're so narrowly focused on

play10:00

what can bring pleasure right here and right now.

play10:02

Literally, the key to life is just zooming out,

play10:05

expanding your focus, expanding your mind,

play10:08

collecting more perspective.

play10:10

The highest perspective is the one that includes them all

play10:13

because we don't want to get stuck scrolling social media,

play10:16

having meaningless sex in more ways

play10:18

than physical

play10:18

and winning arguments

play10:20

in the comments that lead to absolutely nothing useful.

play10:23

We want to act on our goals, build

play10:25

something beneficial

play10:26

in reality,

play10:27

and impact others in a way that brings enjoyment into our lives.

play10:30

And so I talk a lot about having a vision for the future.

play10:33

Why?

play10:34

Because at every point in my life

play10:35

where I have made substantial progress in a short period of time

play10:39

while enjoying every second of it,

play10:41

I was hell bent on actualizing a vision

play10:43

for the future that I held in my mind.

play10:44

And people that have experienced this same thing

play10:47

know this power,

play10:48

and that's why I write about it so much,

play10:50

because I want to understand it. I want to dissect it.

play10:52

I want to piece together

play10:53

a way for people

play10:54

to develop a vision in their own lives

play10:56

so they can experience that feeling.

play10:58

And so one concept that I've coined

play11:00

that has helped many is the anti vision.

play11:03

In brief, it's how you realize what you don't want.

play11:06

And does this mean

play11:07

that you can get rid of the things

play11:08

that you don't want immediately?

play11:10

No.

play11:11

You can't just quit your job and move out of your hometown.

play11:13

If you've built an entire house of responsibilities around that.

play11:16

There's more on the line than money.

play11:18

If you just quit your job, be smart about this.

play11:20

This is a long term game.

play11:22

So to create your anti

play11:23

vision, here's what we have to do

play11:24

first is observe society as a habit.

play11:27

Pay close attention to the people around you.

play11:29

In any situation. Why do they do what they do?

play11:32

What is it leading towards?

play11:33

Are they somebody that you want to be?

play11:35

It could be as simple

play11:36

as observing the groceries that people put in their baskets

play11:38

or observing their body

play11:40

and realizing that you don't want to end up

play11:42

slow, lifeless, groggy all the time.

play11:44

Number two

play11:45

is to reflect on your past,

play11:46

what our experiences that you never want to experience again.

play11:49

What were the lowest lows of your life? What caused them?

play11:52

Have you done anything to prevent that from happening again?

play11:55

Make this a conscious practice in your life.

play11:57

Number three is to make a list of things that you don't want.

play12:00

Pull out a notebook and get specific.

play12:02

This list should make you feel uncomfortable.

play12:04

Keep this somewhere safe,

play12:05

and when something new comes to mind, which it will,

play12:08

because not every single idea is going to come to mind

play12:10

in the span of 10 to 20 minutes.

play12:12

As you're writing this out,

play12:13

it's going to come to your mind over years and years

play12:16

and years of experiencing

play12:17

the things that pop the ideas into your head

play12:19

and you need somewhere

play12:20

to write it down for this number

play12:22

for us to realize where you will be

play12:23

if you keep doing the same thing

play12:25

you are your habits where will your life end up?

play12:28

If you have the same lifestyle in ten years?

play12:30

Do you want that?

play12:31

Number five is to transmute

play12:32

that energy into a passionate vision.

play12:34

What will you have to learn, build and execute daily

play12:37

to avoid your anti vision?

play12:39

And if you want to turn your vision

play12:40

into a brand and your notes into content

play12:42

so that you can build an authentic

play12:44

and purposeful one person business and check out to our writer.

play12:47

So we just came up with your anti vision,

play12:49

but now your vision, your vision is your frame.

play12:52

It is what you hold in the back of your mind

play12:54

to guide your daily actions.

play12:55

It is the lens from which you view your goals

play12:57

and from your vision and your goals.

play12:59

Those are the lens that help

play13:00

you view and perceive daily situations to set.

play13:03

You can make better decisions.

play13:05

It's not about having long term or short term focus.

play13:08

It's about having both.

play13:09

Zoom out

play13:10

Your life is a culmination of your choices,

play13:12

and if you want to make better ones, you must expand your mind.

play13:15

Consciousness and focus beyond your worries.

play13:18

So now that you've created a specific anti vision

play13:20

for your future,

play13:21

you primed your mind

play13:22

for pattern recognition so that you can spot opportunities

play13:26

that will aid in you actualizing the vision for your future,

play13:30

or just realizing, okay, this is not what I want to do.

play13:34

I'm not going to put this in my grocery basket

play13:36

because I'm only now aware of it,

play13:38

because I've realized that this is damaging

play13:41

the health that I want to have going into my vision

play13:44

for the future.

play13:45

And so,

play13:45

yes, it is helpful to get even more specific

play13:47

on what you want out of your future,

play13:49

but your vision is imaginary.

play13:50

It's a vision, right?

play13:52

It should be culminated over time

play13:55

and it's very helpful to write things out.

play13:56

And I would encourage

play13:57

you do that

play13:58

to write out the opposite of your anti vision,

play14:00

because your vision may not be strong yet.

play14:02

Your vision gets strong over time.

play14:04

As I said,

play14:05

not everything is going to come to mind in the 10

play14:07

to 20 minutes that you're going to spend doing this.

play14:08

That's literally impossible.

play14:10

It's going to culminate and expand and develop over years

play14:13

and years and years of experiencing life

play14:15

failing, succeeding and having data points

play14:17

from which to iterate on your vision.

play14:19

So now

play14:20

that we have a vision for the future,

play14:21

we need to learn how to learn and build because schools

play14:25

can't and won't teach you how to build your dreams.

play14:28

Schools are intimately connected

play14:29

with the government, politics and economy

play14:31

and their conditioning process

play14:33

or education is set up to keep these things going

play14:36

to keep them alive.

play14:38

Anything that gives the individual power is a threat.

play14:41

So self education is a requirement on your journey,

play14:44

and it's obvious

play14:45

that you can't reach your goals

play14:46

at your current level of development

play14:48

or else you'd already achieve them.

play14:49

You need to develop skills, you need to build things.

play14:52

You need to fail.

play14:52

You need to gain experience.

play14:54

Because it also wouldn't be challenging

play14:56

if you could achieve your goals right now.

play14:57

It wouldn't

play14:57

be challenging, and challenge

play14:59

gives you a place to focus and order your mind.

play15:01

That's what makes life

play15:02

enjoyable is challenge plays a crucial role in the flow, state

play15:06

enjoyment and dopamine,

play15:07

but only if you take on challenges

play15:08

that aren't too boring or difficult.

play15:10

Play at your level, but try to make it to the next level.

play15:12

And if you want to retain everything that you learn,

play15:15

or at least the important things,

play15:16

not the noise,

play15:17

you can't learn literally everything

play15:19

that comes across your mind.

play15:20

You you must remember the important things

play15:21

that actualize your vision. That's how you learn everything.

play15:24

And if you want to do that,

play15:25

then you must learn as you build or build as you learn.

play15:29

So here's what you do.

play15:30

First is to write down 10

play15:31

to 20

play15:32

specific skills interests

play15:33

or topics that will actualize your vision,

play15:35

because we need clarity on what to do

play15:37

every single day to actualize that vision.

play15:39

Most people

play15:40

fail to make tangible progress

play15:41

because they don't realize that a lifelong habit of education,

play15:45

skill, acquisition and practice is how you build a better life.

play15:48

This is not optional

play15:49

if you don't have time carved out

play15:50

each day

play15:51

to practice your craft for life,

play15:53

then you aren't going to make it anywhere meaningful.

play15:55

Life itself is a practice and most people aren't showing up.

play15:59

They sit at home in distract themselves

play16:01

with mindless entertainment.

play16:03

You don't have your ideal lifestyle

play16:04

because you aren't living that lifestyle

play16:06

right now, but on a smaller scale, as you get better

play16:10

at what you do, the time you spend doing it will increase

play16:13

and the impact of what you're doing will be more in less time

play16:18

and money will become inevitable.

play16:20

If you're starting as a designer or a writer, then

play16:23

you're going to design or write for an hour date

play16:25

every single morning.

play16:26

As you get better,

play16:28

you're going to be able

play16:28

to do the same amount of work

play16:30

that took that one hour in 20 minutes.

play16:32

And so not only are you doing better

play16:34

and more work within that first hour,

play16:36

but you're able to incorporate

play16:38

other things and start to build, let's say, a business for it

play16:42

and slowly increase the time you spend doing it until it becomes

play16:45

your lifestyle.

play16:46

The same goes for the gym,

play16:47

the same goes for

play16:48

every single healthy habit

play16:49

that's the successful people do on a daily basis.

play16:52

They didn't just

play16:53

poof land into this lifestyle

play16:55

after they had a successful business,

play16:57

it was their lifestyle that allowed them to build the business.

play17:01

And so the key to all of this is specifici.

play17:03

We don't write down web design for one of your curiosities

play17:06

or interests that you're looking to write down here.

play17:08

Write down how to create landing pages

play17:10

that are actually useful to businesses.

play17:12

Don't write down the gym,

play17:13

write down diet and training principles

play17:15

to lose Β£10 of fat in six weeks.

play17:17

Do this ten times minimum.

play17:19

And if you don't see how the skills, interest

play17:21

or curiosities aid in your vision, then remove them.

play17:24

So step two After writing down

play17:26

10 to 20

play17:26

interests, we're going to leverage

play17:28

dopamine through pattern recognition and momentum,

play17:31

connecting ideas and noting patterns in reality raises

play17:34

dopamine levels in the brain.

play17:36

It's the same reason

play17:37

that cocaine feels so good dopamine,

play17:39

but this is much more sustainable.

play17:41

It is addictive

play17:42

and this process becomes more powerful when you build momentum.

play17:45

Think of it like doing a Sudoku puzzle.

play17:47

You come up with one answer to fill in and dopamine increases.

play17:51

And what that does is it

play17:52

narrows your mind with that feedback to find other answers.

play17:56

So once you find one answer, then you're like, Oh,

play17:59

there's one more,

play18:00

oh, there's another one,

play18:01

and you build momentum in the dopamine continues to increase

play18:03

and it feels good and keeps you engaged.

play18:05

And so the same thing happens when you have an idea at night.

play18:08

You're like, That's a great idea. I need to write that down.

play18:11

And then you have another one

play18:12

and then another one

play18:12

and you have ten ideas that you have no idea what to do

play18:16

with, aside from write down and keep them safe for the morning

play18:18

when you're going to go and do focus work.

play18:20

And so when you notice one idea that connects to your vision,

play18:23

your signal to noise ratio increases.

play18:26

And this happens when you're studying

play18:27

your interesting curiosities,

play18:29

so your attention narrows on more relevant information,

play18:32

not only on the things that you're reading

play18:34

or watching or listening to,

play18:35

but also the ones that were already in your mind.

play18:37

And so your mind lights up with excitement

play18:39

and your vision just grows that much stronger.

play18:41

And this is why it feels so good to live with purpose.

play18:44

And so that was step

play18:45

number two is leveraging dopamine in pattern recognition.

play18:48

Step number three is to learn and build.

play18:50

That way,

play18:51

you eliminate useless information

play18:52

because everyone is telling you what to do.

play18:54

They're projecting

play18:55

what they deem important onto you, what they see as signal.

play18:59

But what to you is 95% of the time noise.

play19:02

And if you aren't

play19:03

where you want to be in your life, then nothing is as important

play19:07

as your own goals.

play19:09

Not the news,

play19:09

not your friends relationship problems,

play19:11

and definitely not who's getting elected.

play19:13

And so on the election part,

play19:14

I always find it funny that people get so up in arms about like

play19:17

gas prices or whether or not they can have a baby and it's don't

play19:22

get me wrong,

play19:22

they're like,

play19:22

I understand

play19:23

that it's your body, your choice, or whatever it is.

play19:26

I can go either way. I see both perspectives, right?

play19:29

As I said earlier,

play19:30

the highest perspective is all perspectives

play19:32

and being able to hold both of those and pull truth.

play19:34

What I'm saying here is that most people

play19:36

hide behind the fact that it's easier

play19:37

to submit a vote than it is to change your life.

play19:40

They can't zoom out and see another way that is more effective

play19:43

to bring their beliefs into reality than by submitting a vote.

play19:47

Because if you're worried about gas prices,

play19:49

then why haven't you zoomed out

play19:50

and developed a strategy

play19:51

or a plan

play19:52

to build a business

play19:53

so that you never have to worry about gas prices again?

play19:55

That is ten times more powerful,

play19:57

not only for your life

play19:58

but for other people's lives

play19:59

and not having to rely on one measly vote

play20:02

that may not even get counted.

play20:03

And again,

play20:04

if you zoom out,

play20:05

you can build an audience and present your perspective

play20:08

to millions

play20:09

so that you actually have an impact on the votes

play20:11

about your bodily rights or whatever it may be.

play20:13

That's how they keep you locked into this

play20:15

thing is by keeping

play20:16

your vision,

play20:17

your focus narrowed in on their vision for what they want

play20:21

rather than you zooming out and crafting a plan

play20:23

to find a better way to getting what you want.

play20:25

I don't care what your beliefs are

play20:26

on your bodily rights or whatever you want to do.

play20:28

If you want it to become reality, then take it into your hands

play20:31

as much as you can.

play20:32

Develop a vision for the future and actualize that by yourself.

play20:36

Take control of it

play20:37

and forget about the things

play20:39

that you have very little control over.

play20:40

So to create, you need boundaries for your creativity

play20:44

or else things get too chaotic and overwhelming.

play20:46

You need

play20:46

goals turned into projects

play20:48

so that you have something tangible

play20:49

to work on

play20:50

and the goals and projects

play20:51

provide boundaries for your learning and creativity.

play20:55

So break down your vision into goals now.

play20:58

Yearly, Monthly. Weekly. Daily.

play21:00

Turn all of those into milestones

play21:02

for a project that you can work on, like a personal brand,

play21:05

which is the fuel for anything

play21:06

you want to build or a one person business,

play21:08

which is the starting point that I believe 99% of

play21:11

the people should start with before

play21:13

trying to go after any other business model,

play21:15

because it's something that is holistic

play21:16

and it evolves with you and it's not a static business model

play21:19

that sounds too good to be true.

play21:20

So with your vision in mind, start building and learning.

play21:23

Work on your project daily regardless of

play21:26

if you know what you're doing

play21:28

because you don't know what you're doing

play21:29

because you haven't registered that as a problem

play21:32

or actually started the project and hit a problem

play21:34

that makes you realize,

play21:35

Oh, this is what I need to learn,

play21:37

and you're never going to find that if you don't start,

play21:39

you can learn, you can be an expert at something in the books,

play21:42

but if you don't actually do it,

play21:44

you're going to hit the same problem as if you knew nothing.

play21:47

And then you're going to have to go

play21:47

and research that problem anyway.

play21:49

So it's better to start then learn

play21:51

because that is the best way to learn

play21:52

is to encounter

play21:53

a real world

play21:54

problem, research

play21:55

specific information to solve it,

play21:56

keep a steady flow of information from your consumption, solve

play22:00

the problem,

play22:00

enjoy the dopamine, and let momentum

play22:02

carry you into a season of intensity.

play22:04

The rest is in your hands.

play22:06

That's it for this video.

play22:07

Check out Digital economics to our writer.

play22:09

Other cool links in the description.

play22:11

If you want to productize yourself or learn a high value skill

play22:14

that is high impact

play22:15

digital writing with all that stuff like subscribe

play22:18

see in the next video piece.

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Related Tags
Mind ClarityChaos TheoryHuman BehaviorPsychic EntropyOrder BuildingSelf-ImprovementGoal AchievementDopamine DriveMindfulnessVision Building