How To Get Ahead Of 99% Of People (In 6-12 Months)

Dan Koe
25 Dec 202208:11

Summary

TLDRThis motivational script urges individuals to rise above mediocrity by identifying what they don't want in life and envisioning the consequences of inaction. It encourages deep reflection, creating an 'anti-vision' to clarify one's true goals. The speaker advises developing a detailed plan to combat entropy and chaos, advocating for the elimination of distractions and the cultivation of mental energy to fuel progress. The message emphasizes the importance of mastering fundamentals and embracing the journey of consistent effort over time, akin to the gradual leveling up in a game, to achieve long-term success.

Takeaways

  • 🧐 Become self-aware of what you don't want in life and the consequences of inaction.
  • 👀 Observe the outcomes of mindless actions in society to understand where they lead.
  • 🤔 Reflect deeply on your thoughts and experiences rather than accepting superficial views of reality.
  • 🚫 Recognize the importance of knowing what you don't want, as it's easier to identify from experience than purely from imagination.
  • 🔥 Harness the power of negative emotions to motivate and drive you towards your goals.
  • 📝 Create an 'anti-vision' to clarify what you do not want in life, which will help define your true vision.
  • 🛠 Develop a detailed plan and strategy for your life to avoid falling into chaos due to entropy.
  • 🏃‍♂️ 'Disappear' from distractions and things that do not contribute to your vision.
  • 🧘 Redirect mental energy away from unproductive activities towards your long-term goals.
  • 🏋️‍♀️ Embrace the fundamentals and repetitive actions that lead to mastery and success.
  • 🔬 Understand that success is a process of trial and error, requiring patience and a lifetime commitment.

Q & A

  • What are the two key things one should become 'brutally aware' of to get ahead in life according to the transcript?

    -The two key things are what you don't want and where you will end up if you continue with the same actions in life.

  • Why is observing the masses and their outcomes important for personal growth?

    -Observing the masses helps one to see the consequences of mindless action and understand that it often leads to undesirable outcomes, which can motivate personal change.

  • What is the significance of not just accepting what is seen on the surface as reality?

    -Accepting only what is seen on the surface can perpetuate a closed-minded approach to life, which is often the root cause of stagnation and failure to progress.

  • Why is it easier to identify what you don't want rather than what you want?

    -It's easier to identify what you don't want through direct experience and observation, whereas knowing what you want often requires imagination and can be less grounded in reality.

  • What is the role of negative energy in achieving one's goals as described in the transcript?

    -Negative energy, when transmuted properly, can be a powerful motivator to achieve goals in life, as it can fuel the drive to avoid undesirable outcomes.

  • How can one use the concept of an 'anti vision' to clarify their actual vision for the future?

    -By defining an 'anti vision' that includes everything one does not want in life, it becomes clearer what the opposite would be, thus clarifying the actual vision for a better future.

  • What does the transcript suggest as a method to create a detailed plan for personal development?

    -The transcript suggests sitting down with a notebook and creating a detailed plan that includes day-to-day and week-by-week actions to prevent entropy and move towards one's vision.

  • What does the term 'disappear' metaphorically mean in the context of the transcript?

    -To 'disappear' metaphorically means to remove oneself from distractions and things that do not contribute to one's goals, such as certain people, games, apps, or bad habits.

  • How does the transcript describe the process of mastering a skill or habit?

    -The process involves breaking down the skill into fundamentals, practicing them repeatedly until they become effortless, and then building upon them to achieve mastery.

  • What is the importance of understanding the 'boring fundamentals' as per the transcript?

    -Understanding and practicing the 'boring fundamentals' is crucial because they form the foundation for success and mastery, and are often the repetitive actions that lead to long-term progress.

  • How does the transcript address the common question about when to see results from new endeavors?

    -The transcript advises to stop asking when results will be seen, as the focus should be on the process and long-term development, not immediate outcomes.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Escaping the Norm: Crafting a Vision and Anti-Vision

This paragraph emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and the power of negative visualization. It suggests observing the consequences of mindless action within society and reflecting on personal habits. The speaker advocates for a deeper level of thought beyond surface-level acceptance of reality. The paragraph introduces the concept of creating an 'anti-vision'—a detailed picture of the undesirable future—to motivate change. It also touches on harnessing negative emotions as a driving force for achieving one's goals and outlines a strategy for daily and weekly actions to counteract entropy and chaos in life.

05:01

🎯 The Mastery of Fundamentals: A Path to Success

The second paragraph focuses on the significance of mastering the basics in the pursuit of success. It likens the process to leveling up in a game, where repetitive actions lead to gradual improvement. The speaker argues that the fundamentals are not boring but are the building blocks of mastery. The paragraph also discusses the importance of patience and persistence, comparing the journey to learning a skill like tennis or becoming a sushi chef. It advises against seeking quick results and encourages embracing the lifelong process of trial and error to perfect one's life project. The speaker ends with a motivational note to flip the switch and build a strong foundation for the desired life, especially as the New Year approaches.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Awareness

Awareness in the context of the video refers to the conscious recognition of one's desires and the consequences of inaction. It is the first step towards self-improvement, as it helps individuals identify what they do not want in life. The script emphasizes becoming 'brutally aware' to trigger a change in direction, avoiding the pitfalls of mindless action.

💡Observation

Observation is the act of watching and reflecting on the world around us, particularly the behavior of 'the masses' in the video. It is used to draw lessons on the outcomes of non-strategic living, serving as a mirror to understand the potential future if one continues with the status quo.

💡Mindlessness

Mindlessness is the state of acting without thought or purpose, which the video warns against. It is associated with negative outcomes and is contrasted with the intentional actions needed to create a better future. The script uses the term to describe the actions that lead to undesirable life scenarios.

💡Vision

A vision in this video represents a clear and inspiring picture of one's desired future. It is a motivational tool that helps guide actions and decisions. The script encourages creating a vision to counteract the 'anti-vision' and to focus on what one truly wants to achieve in life.

💡Anti-Vision

The anti-vision is the negative counterpart to a vision, outlining everything one does not want in their life. It serves as a catalyst for change by highlighting the consequences of inaction or poor choices. The script suggests using the anti-vision to clarify one's true vision.

💡Entropy

In the video, entropy symbolizes the natural tendency towards disorder and chaos if no effort is made to create order. It is used metaphorically to describe the decline of life without intentional action and planning, emphasizing the need for creating systems to prevent such chaos.

💡Strategy

A strategy in this context is a well-thought-out plan to achieve one's vision. The script advises creating a detailed plan to guide daily and weekly actions, which is essential in avoiding the pitfalls of entropy and moving towards the desired future.

💡Mental Energy

Mental energy refers to the cognitive resources one can direct towards achieving goals. The video suggests that negative emotions can be transmuted into mental energy, which is crucial for driving one's vision and maintaining the systems needed to prevent entropy.

💡Fundamentals

Fundamentals are the basic principles or actions that form the foundation for success. The video contrasts the perceived boredom of these repetitive actions with the mastery they lead to, likening them to the practice routines of successful individuals in various fields.

💡Mastery

Mastery is the state of complete understanding or proficiency in a particular area. The script uses the concept of mastery to illustrate the importance of repetitive practice and the fundamentals, which, over time, lead to expertise and success.

💡Trial and Error

Trial and error is the process of learning from attempts that do not produce the desired outcome, making adjustments, and trying again. The video likens the pursuit of personal goals to a scientific endeavor, where continuous experimentation and learning are key to eventual success.

💡Origin Story

An origin story in the video refers to the personal narrative of success that every successful person has, which typically involves overcoming obstacles and making significant life changes. The script suggests that the process of self-improvement outlined in the video is a common thread in these stories.

Highlights

Becoming aware of what you don't want and the consequences of inaction can propel you ahead of most people.

Observing the masses and reflecting on mindless action can reveal the undesirable outcomes of not taking control of your life.

Deep thinking and reflection are crucial to avoid accepting superficial observations as reality.

Recognizing the ease of identifying what you don't want through experience and observation is key to shaping your vision.

Harnessing negative energy, such as anger, can be a powerful motivator towards achieving life goals.

Creating an 'anti-vision' can clarify your true vision by outlining everything you wish to avoid in life.

Discomfort with the potential outcomes of inaction should drive you to focus on a significant, meaningful goal.

Planning and strategizing on a daily and weekly basis is essential to prevent life from succumbing to chaos.

The metaphorical act of 'disappearing' involves cutting out distractions and focusing on personal growth.

Breaking addictions and redirecting mental energy towards your vision is a step towards mastering your life.

Understanding that the 'boring fundamentals' are the building blocks of success and mastery.

The importance of repetitive actions in achieving mastery, as seen in the examples of sushi chefs and tennis players.

The necessity of patience and the acceptance that achieving goals takes time and a lifetime of effort.

The value of creating a system to prevent entropy and maintain order in your life towards your vision.

The essence of science, trial and error, should be applied to perfecting your life's project.

The idea that every successful person's origin story includes the realization of what they don't want and a strategic launch into the opposite direction.

A call to action to flip the switch within oneself and build a foundation for the desired life, especially as the New Year approaches.

A teaser for upcoming longer, in-depth videos and a request for feedback on the shorter format.

Transcripts

play00:00

Here's how you get ahead of 99% of people in 6

play00:03

to 12 months

play00:04

become brutally aware of two things.

play00:07

The first is what you don't want.

play00:09

The second is where you will end up

play00:11

if you keep doing the same things

play00:14

in life.

play00:15

Observe the masses

play00:16

and see where mindless action leads.

play00:19

It's not pretty at all by any means.

play00:21

When you do this,

play00:22

when you observe the masses, sit

play00:24

with your thoughts.

play00:25

Think them through.

play00:26

Don't just close your mind off

play00:28

and take what you see on the surface

play00:30

and accept it as reality.

play00:31

That's not how this works.

play00:32

That close minded surface

play00:34

level living is

play00:35

what got you into this situation

play00:37

in the first place.

play00:38

You need to think deeper.

play00:39

It's easier

play00:40

to know what you don't want

play00:41

from experience and observation

play00:44

than it is

play00:44

to know what you want from imagination.

play00:47

And just thinking

play00:49

and having all of these grand ideas

play00:50

for your future.

play00:51

And don't get me wrong

play00:53

here, I'm not writing those things off.

play00:55

Those things are good. They are not bad.

play00:56

Do not label

play00:57

any of what I'm saying as good or bad.

play00:59

Test it through your direct experience.

play01:01

Many of you know that I'm very big

play01:03

on creating a vision for your future,

play01:05

but the best way to do that

play01:07

is by also creating an antidote

play01:09

and having a negative thing.

play01:11

Something that you despise,

play01:12

something that will get you angry

play01:14

because negative energy is very,

play01:16

very potent.

play01:17

It can be used in transmuted

play01:20

to actually achieve

play01:21

what you want in life.

play01:22

It's like when you're going to

play01:23

the gym, I'll be walking

play01:25

on the treadmill as a warm up

play01:26

and I'll just think of

play01:27

what my life would be without the gym.

play01:29

Where could I end up

play01:30

if I don't put my all into that workout?

play01:33

And somehow I just get very, very pissed

play01:37

and I can feel that energy.

play01:39

And not being pissed isn't bad.

play01:41

Negative emotions aren't bad.

play01:43

They exist.

play01:44

They are what they are

play01:45

and they should be

play01:46

used, not suppressed, but used for good.

play01:50

So to create your anti vision,

play01:52

sit down with a notebook,

play01:54

become a mad scientist,

play01:56

draw out everything, sit

play01:58

with a notebook for 30 minutes

play01:59

and just draw out everything

play02:01

your entire future.

play02:01

But start with the anti

play02:03

and write down every single thing

play02:05

that you do not want in this life.

play02:07

What do you not want to look like?

play02:09

What do you not want your future to be?

play02:11

What do you not want your day

play02:13

to look like on an everyday basis?

play02:15

And from that

play02:16

it will be much clearer to you

play02:17

what your vision will actually be,

play02:20

because it's just

play02:21

the opposite of those things.

play02:23

And so when you look at your anti vision

play02:24

after creating it,

play02:25

or as you're writing it,

play02:26

you should feel uncomfortable.

play02:28

You should feel very uncomfortable

play02:30

with the possibility

play02:32

of where you could end up in life

play02:34

if you do not take control of your life.

play02:37

And so with that discomfort,

play02:39

you should laser in on one

play02:41

big goal, laser

play02:42

in on your vision for the future.

play02:44

And this should be meaningful

play02:46

because your anti vision

play02:47

is usually meaningless.

play02:49

It comes from mindless action

play02:50

and comes from not doing anything

play02:52

and letting entropy take hold

play02:54

and just drag your life into chaos.

play02:56

That's what entropy does.

play02:57

That is the supreme law of the universe.

play03:00

If you do not create order for your life,

play03:03

you will decline into chaos.

play03:05

So in that same notebook

play03:07

with that vision for your future

play03:08

and your anti vision

play03:10

plan out,

play03:11

be the mad scientist

play03:12

that is going to

play03:13

work on the project of your life.

play03:15

Create a plan, create a strategy

play03:18

for exactly

play03:19

what you are going to do on a day to day

play03:21

basis, week by week.

play03:23

Every single thing

play03:23

you're going to do for the next week

play03:25

and write it out

play03:26

get extremely specific,

play03:28

create the order

play03:29

so you do not be a victim of entropy.

play03:32

Next, disappear.

play03:34

And whenever I say

play03:35

disappear, like disappear for six months,

play03:37

people take it literally.

play03:39

Almost every of much of what I say

play03:41

is metaphorical

play03:42

and exaggerated

play03:43

to get the essence of the message across.

play03:45

I'm not saying

play03:46

disappear

play03:47

like your physical body

play03:48

is just going to disappear.

play03:50

I'm saying disappear

play03:51

from the things

play03:52

that don't belong in your life.

play03:53

Cut them out.

play03:54

This can be people,

play03:55

games, apps, or even bad habits.

play03:58

Just become aware of

play04:00

the things that are holding you back.

play04:01

And there are multiple ways to do this.

play04:03

But with the process that we've discussed

play04:05

and what's work

play04:06

best for me is to just rip

play04:07

the Band-Aid off, get rid of them all.

play04:09

You don't need to explain yourself here

play04:11

to other people

play04:12

that are going to be messing you.

play04:13

Hey, bro, Where'd you go?

play04:14

Just disappear.

play04:15

In other words,

play04:16

break your addiction

play04:17

with feeling like shit.

play04:19

Because that feeling feeling like shit

play04:21

has one cause, and that is, well,

play04:24

it has multiple causes,

play04:25

but we're talking about mental here,

play04:26

not physical,

play04:27

which would be

play04:28

attributed to something

play04:29

like nutrition or food,

play04:30

but mental mental energy

play04:32

that you were

play04:32

spending on people

play04:34

and things

play04:35

that don't give a fuck

play04:36

about you and direct

play04:37

that mental energy

play04:39

that you now

play04:39

have into your vision for the future.

play04:42

Because you have created a system

play04:45

that will prevent entropy in your life.

play04:47

The thing that will take you

play04:48

from anti vision

play04:49

to vision,

play04:50

the system there,

play04:51

and to maintain a system

play04:53

to prevent entropy,

play04:54

you need energy,

play04:55

in this case, mental energy

play04:57

to actualize

play04:58

or manifest that vision,

play05:00

if you want to call it that last.

play05:03

Make a habit of the boring fundamentals,

play05:06

but realize

play05:07

that the boring fundamentals

play05:10

are not boring

play05:11

because most successful people,

play05:12

they take the same repetitive actions

play05:15

on a day to day basis

play05:16

in a game

play05:17

in like a game

play05:18

that mimics the real world,

play05:19

you are logging on

play05:21

and you are repeating the same thing over

play05:23

and over to slowly level up over time.

play05:25

Right?

play05:26

You're you're killing monsters, you're

play05:28

going through dungeons,

play05:29

you're doing the same thing

play05:31

to stack experience.

play05:32

So you need to transfer that

play05:34

into the real world

play05:35

and move the levers

play05:36

that will actually take you towards

play05:38

your goals.

play05:39

These are fundamentals,

play05:40

These are principles,

play05:41

These aren't tactics.

play05:42

And so understand

play05:43

that these are not boring.

play05:45

They seem boring on the surface

play05:46

when you look at someone else

play05:47

doing it day in, day out, like, Oh,

play05:49

this guy down,

play05:50

he writes for 30 minutes every morning,

play05:51

Oh, that's

play05:52

that seems so boring,

play05:53

but it's mastery over misery.

play05:56

It's like how sushi chefs,

play05:58

they take years

play05:59

to perfect the preparation of rice.

play06:02

And it comes in stages

play06:04

like a tennis player.

play06:05

You first learn how to hold the racket.

play06:07

Then there is a very specific way

play06:09

to do that well,

play06:10

and then you move up to the next stage,

play06:12

which is how do you angle the racket,

play06:13

How do you hit the ball

play06:14

and you have to practice these things

play06:16

over and over and over again,

play06:18

like how you were learning to walk

play06:20

until it becomes

play06:20

effortless or unconscious.

play06:22

So you open up more mental energy

play06:24

to move on

play06:25

to the next thing that will take

play06:26

you ahead of the people

play06:28

that are trying to just get a result

play06:31

that would usually take ten years

play06:32

to get in two weeks.

play06:34

That's just not going to happen.

play06:35

And so the question that everyone asks,

play06:37

like when you start something new

play06:38

is, okay, when will I see this result?

play06:40

Like a tennis player?

play06:41

When will I be able to compete

play06:43

and stop asking that question?

play06:44

Because you're going to get an answer

play06:46

that you don't want to hear

play06:47

and it's going to throw you off track.

play06:48

It takes years.

play06:49

It takes an entire lifetime of trial

play06:52

and error to create a project.

play06:54

As I said, become a mad scientist.

play06:56

The essence of science

play06:57

is trial and error.

play06:59

So to perfect a project

play07:01

your life

play07:02

that you are building out,

play07:03

it is going to take a lifetime.

play07:06

Get comfortable with that thought.

play07:08

So this entire process

play07:09

that we just went over of realizing

play07:11

what you don't

play07:11

want, creating a strategy

play07:12

and launching yourself

play07:13

into the opposite direction

play07:15

and prioritizing long

play07:17

term success and mastery

play07:18

is the origin story.

play07:20

You will hear this in every origin story

play07:22

of a successful person.

play07:23

So flip the switch inside of you.

play07:26

New Year's is coming up.

play07:27

Flip the switch inside of you

play07:28

and build a foundation

play07:30

that will carry you into the life

play07:31

you want.

play07:32

So first off, Merry

play07:33

Christmas and Happy New Year.

play07:35

This is a much shorter video

play07:36

than I normally do.

play07:37

Many of you know that I was saving.

play07:39

I'm saving along the longer

play07:41

I have a lot of good videos coming.

play07:42

The long, in-depth ones

play07:44

coming next week.

play07:45

I just didn't want to post it around Christmas

play07:46

because I want to give those videos

play07:48

the hopefully attention it deserves.

play07:50

So first let me know

play07:52

if you like these shorter videos

play07:53

because I can work in one of these

play07:55

every single week

play07:56

along with the in-depth videos.

play07:57

And if you guys like them,

play07:59

I'll keep them coming.

play08:00

So with that, leave a comment.

play08:01

Let me know.

play08:02

Like subscribe while you're there.

play08:03

Links in the description

play08:04

for skill acquisition

play08:05

courses and other things like that.

play08:07

Just check them out

play08:08

and enjoy the rest

play08:09

of your day, my friends.

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Related Tags
Self-ImprovementGoal SettingVision CreationAvoid NegativityMental EnergyAction PlanLife MasterySuccess MindsetAnti-VisionOrder vs Chaos