12 Rules For Life by Jordan Peterson 📖 Book Summary

Summary

The video analyzes Jordan Peterson's book '12 Rules for Life', drawing on stories to illustrate each rule. It encourages standing up straight to portray confidence, treating yourself responsibly, surrounding yourself with positive friends, comparing yourself to your past rather than others, setting clear boundaries for children, getting your own life in order before criticizing the world, pursuing meaning over pleasure, telling the truth, listening to understand others, speaking precisely, allowing children to take risks, and taking moments to enjoy little things like petting a cat.

Takeaways

• 😀 Peterson's 12 Rules for Life have inspired millions and provide a unique perspective on life
• 👔 Rule 1: Stand up straight with your shoulders back to project confidence and change how others perceive you
• 😺 Rule 2: Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping, as we often care more for our pets than ourselves
• 🤝 Rule 3: Surround yourself with friends who want the best for you and push you to improve
• 🔬 Rule 4: Compare yourself to who you were yesterday rather than to others today
• 👶 Rule 5: Do not let your children do things that make you dislike them
• 🏡 Rule 6: Set your own house in perfect order before criticizing the world
• 🚀 Rule 7: Pursue meaningful goals rather than just chasing pleasure
• 🗣 Rule 8: Tell the truth and don't lie
• 🧠 Rule 9: Assume others may know things you don't and listen to them
• 😸 Rule 12: Take opportunities to enjoy small pleasures like petting a cat on the street

Q & A

What is the main premise of Jordan Peterson's book '12 Rules For Life'?

The main premise is that following certain rules or principles in life can help people find meaning, become better versions of themselves, and live more fulfilling lives.

What does Jordan Peterson mean when he says to 'treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping'?

He means that we often care more for the wellbeing of others like pets than we do for ourselves. We should establish values and care for ourselves with the same sense of responsibility.

Why does Jordan Peterson suggest removing negative friends from your life?

He argues most people have 'loser' friends who don't really push them to improve. Surrounding yourself with positive friends who want the best for you is important.

What is Jordan Peterson's advice on comparing yourself to others?

He says compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today. Comparing yourself to others leads to perpetual frustration.

What does Jordan Peterson say about physically disciplining misbehaving children?

He says do whatever stops the behavior fastest within reason. So in extreme cases like a child prodding an electrical socket, a slap may be justified.

How did struggling with nihilism impact the narrator?

It led him to abuse substances and lose meaning. He says overcoming this was one of the best things to ever happen to him.

What does Jordan Peterson mean by 'pursuing what is meaningful'?

He means establishing your own sense of meaning and purpose even in a meaningless universe, rather than just pursuing pleasure and self-interest.

Why does Jordan Peterson emphasize precision in speech?

Imprecise speech leaves situations ambiguous. Clearly communicating issues to others like doctors dissipates uncertainty.

What does the quote about boys spinning donuts illustrate?

It shows the boys were testing limits and building character. Quitting school demonstrated strength in the face of poor conditions.

Why does Jordan Peterson suggest petting cats you see outside?

Small moments of positivity like petting a cat can brighten your day and provide relief from the absurdity of existence.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Jordan Peterson's 12 Rules for Life

Paragraph 1 introduces Jordan Peterson as a renowned psychologist and professor whose controversial comments went viral. It outlines 12 key rules from his bestselling book '12 Rules For Life' which provide guidance on improving one's life through practices like proper posture, caring for oneself, choosing good friends, focusing on self-improvement rather than comparison with others, disciplining children appropriately, putting one's own house in order first before criticizing the world, pursuing meaningful goals over expedient ones, telling the truth, listening to understand others' perspectives, using precise speech, respecting focused children's activities, and taking time to enjoy pleasurable moments.

05:03

😊 Peterson's Views on Suffering, Truth Telling and Finding Meaning

Paragraph 2 elaborates on some of the rules, like the importance of truth telling even when uncomfortable, using an example from Peterson's experience with a schizophrenic patient. It also discusses Peterson's perspective on finding meaning in life even when existence seems meaningless, drawn from his analyses of various philosophical works. The paragraph concludes by urging the viewer to share the video and channel to spread the value to others.

Keywords

💡clinical psychologist

A clinical psychologist is a mental health professional who diagnoses and treats mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Peterson is a clinical psychologist, which gives him expertise in analyzing human behavior and offering advice, as he does with his 12 rules for life.

💡social justice warriors

Social justice warriors refers to activists who campaign vigorously for political reforms and social equality. Peterson has faced criticism from some activists who view his opinions as controversial, but he maintains a large following.

💡nihilism

Nihilism is a philosophical position holding that life lacks objective meaning, purpose, or intrinsic value. The author struggled with nihilistic beliefs last year which led to negative behaviors, showing how a lack of meaning can be detrimental.

💡parenting rules

Peterson outlines rules related to parenting in one chapter of his book 12 Rules for Life. This includes a controversial discussion on whether physical discipline of children can ever be justified.

💡skateboarding

Peterson uses skateboarding as an example of an activity that allows boys to test limits, develop control, and build strength. The message is not to interfere with such formative experiences.

💡speech

Multiple rules relate to speech, emphasizing honest, precise communication. Deception and vagueness are criticized while truth-telling and specificity are praised for improving understanding.

💡happiness

Finding meaning, indulging in small joys, fostering community - these rules implicitly promote happiness. Though life has suffering, following this advice allows more fulfillment.

💡responsibility

Taking responsibility for self-care and those under one's care is a repeated theme. More accountability leads to more motivation and achievement.

💡growth

Many rules aim at self-improvement by healing weaknesses and developing strengths. Comparing oneself to one's past shows progress while comparing to others causes envy.

💡existence

The author grapples with finding purpose in existence despite its absurdity. Though there may be no objective meaning, subjective meaning propels people.

Highlights

Standing straight with shoulders back changes how you and others perceive you neurally, attracting mates, social cues, and confidence.

Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping, like a pet you'd care for more than yourself.

Make friends who want the best for you, not just hang out to smoke weed. Audit your friends.

Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not others today, or you'll continually frustrate yourself.

Before punishing children, do whatever stops misbehavior fastest within reason, even a slap to prevent greater harm.

Set your house in perfect order before criticizing the world. Stop doing what you know is wrong.

Pursue what is meaningful, not expedient pleasure. Create your own meaning amidst nihilism.

Tell the truth or at least don't lie, even if it risks hurt and rejection, as dishonesty always backfires.

Assume others might know something you don't and listen to learn rather than waiting to speak.

Be precise in speech to dispel terrible imagined afflictions into one disease or even nothing.

When kids skateboard dangerously, it's not weakness but strength, learning limits of control.

Small opportunities to pet cats amid absurdity give bad days extra light. Indulge pockets of joy.

Standing up straight with shoulders back boosts confidence, social skills, mate attraction on a neural level.

Friends should push you to improve, not just enable vice. Audit who actually helps you grow.

Before criticizing externally, set your own house in order. Cease doing what you know is wrong.

Transcripts

- Jordan Peterson is a clinical psychologist

and professor of psychology at the University of Toronto.

He went viral after he supposedly criticised legislation

in Canada regarding the use of transgender pronouns.

Although he's got a bunch of social justice warriors

chasing him with pitchforks,

millions have been inspired by his enthusiasm

and unique outlook on life.

His most recent book, "12 Rules For Life",

quickly became the number one best selling book

on Amazon this year.

In this video, I will draw on stories

from both my life and Peterson's

to illustrate what the 12 rules are,

so be sure to watch this video to the end.

Rule one: Stand straight with your shoulders back.

It will change how yourself and other people

perceive you on a neural level.

You'll be more likely to attract a mate,

find it easier to pay attention to subtle social cues,

and be treated by people differently.

You have more confidence

and fill your brain with healthy levels of serotonin.

On the contrary, a slumpy posture will render you

more likely to abuse drugs.

You have less zest for life.

And you increase the likelihood of getting

heart disease, cancer, and dementia.

Rule two: Treat yourself like someone

you are responsible for helping.

Take this scenario, 100 sick people are prescribed a drug.

One third won't fill the prescription.

And the rest will fill it, but will take it incorrectly.

Now, imagine it's not you who are sick,

but your dog, Scruffy.

You take Scruffy to the vet,

and the vet gives you a prescription.

What's bizarre here is that most of you

have every reason to distrust a vet

as much as you do a doctor,

yet you are fulfilling a prescription for your pet.

It seems we take more care

for our pets than ourselves.

Ultimately, what I got from Peterson was

to establish your values in the direction you are heading

in order to treat yourself like someone

you are responsible for helping.

This can be difficult, but it's 10 times better

to have a rough idea of your values and direction

than nothing at all.

Rule three: Make friends with people

who want the best for you.

Most people have loser friends.

Let's be real.

Friends they just hang out with

because they're roommates, they went to school together,

or they enjoy smoking weed.

Does this sound like you?

If so, it's time to do an audit.

Who in your friendship circle is actually

pushing you to be a better person?

Who makes you smile when you are around them?

If none of your friends fit this criteria,

you should seriously reconsider who you are hanging around.

Rule four is: Compare yourself to who you were yesterday,

not to who someone else is today.

My ex-girlfriend and I both had Youtube channels.

We were both putting tremendous of into our channels,

but hers just wouldn't grow, but mine would.

She'd always say she was proud of me,

but then follow it up with a dim face,

telling me how jealous she was of my success.

You've probably found yourself in a similar situation.

This would go on and on.

And 'til this day, she remains where she is.

And I say this at the risk of sounding

like a condescending twat.

But the reality is, if she continues to compare

herself to others, she will continually be frustrated.

What I found helps is just realising that there will

always be someone doing better than you.

So why on Earth would you waste

your time comparing yourself?

Rule five: Do not let your children do anything

that makes you dislike them.

Peterson outlines parenting rules in this chapter,

but, to be honest, I was more interested in the discussion

about whether you should hit your misbehaving child.

Picture this, you walk into your living room

and see little boy Jimmy prodding a fork

into the electrical socket.

You shout, "Jimmy, stop that!"

He doesn't stop.

"Jimmy, stop that right now."

He doesn't stop.

So what do you do?

Well, the answer is simple according to Peterson,

whatever will spot it fastest, within reason.

Because the alternative could be fatal,

in this scenario, a slap in the face

may be justified, if that's what it takes.

What do you think?

Comment your thoughts below.

Rule six: Set your house in perfect order

before you criticise the world.

Nihilism, you know, the belief that

everything is fundamentally meaningless.

Now, I struggled immensely with this last year,

to the point of stuffing myself with seven Mars bars a day

and abusing an opiate-like substance called kratom.

I saw absolutely no reason for this channel to exist,

let alone for myself and the world to exist.

It was too much to bear.

But thankfully, I made it out.

And now I see the six months of existential anguish

as one of the best things that has ever happened to me.

So before we criticise the world,

Peterson suggests you start to stop doing

what you know to be wrong.

Rule seven: Pursue what is meaningful,

not what is expedient.

Pursue pleasure, lie, cheat, steal, deceive, manipulate,

but don't get caught.

In an ultimately meaningless universe,

what possible difference could it make?

That's what it means to be expedient.

And to this, Peterson is opposed.

He arrives at this conclusion based on a lengthy analysis

of the works of Dostoevsky, Nietzsche, The Bible,

mass shootings, and more.

There may be no inherent meaning for your existence,

but you can make your own.

Rule eight: Tell the truth, or at least, don't lie.

Picture this: You are a medical student,

and you walk into a hospital with your instructor,

along with eight other students.

You are here on an expedition.

You pass the mental health ward.

And, as you do, a schizophrenic patient approaches.

In a childlike manner, she asks you,

"Why are you all standing here?"

"What are you doing?"

"Can I come along with you?"

So what do you say?

Nobody wanted to say anything that may have come across

as a rejection to a potentially volatile

and already hurt patient.

But nobody wanted to say yes either.

Peterson faced this exact scenario,

and he ended up telling the truth.

He said that we're new students

training to be psychologists,

and she couldn't join for that reason.

She looked hurt, but only for a moment.

She understood and moved on.

That's not to say that all situations in life

will pan out like this,

but the point is that dishonesty

will always come back to bite you.

So tell the truth, or at least, don't lie.

Rule nine: Assume that the person you are listening to

might know something you don't.

You'd be surprised what you can learn

by shutting up and truly listening.

Moving on to rule 10: Be precise in your speech.

You wake up in pain.

You might be dying slowly of a horrible disease.

You refuse to tell your doctor about your pain,

so what you have is unknowing.

You could have a stroke, heart disease, and lung cancer

all at the same time.

Who knows?

But, if you talk to your doctor,

all those terrible possible diseases will dissipate,

likely into one disease or perhaps even nothing.

But you'd only know this if you were precise in your speech,

which is telling your doctor in this case.

For me, this lesson is most effectively applied

by writing your thoughts on paper,

especially when it's about something that is bothering you,

such as an issue in your intimate relationship.

Rule 11: Do not bother children when they are skateboarding.

I believe the following quote sums up this rule perfectly.

"When the boys were spinning donuts,

they were also testing the limits of their cars,

their ability as drivers, and their capacity for control

in an out-of-control situation."

"When they told off the teachers,

they were pushing against authority

to see if there was any real authority there,

the kind that could be relied on in principle in a crisis."

"When they quit school, they went to work as rig roughnecks,

when it was 40 bloody degrees below zero."

"It wasn't weakness that propelled

so many out of the classroom,

where a better future arguably awaited."

"It was strength."

And the final rule: Pet a cat

when you encounter one on the street.

Ginger is a cat that lives across the street from Peterson.

Ginger waltzes across the road

to play with Peterson's dog, Sikko.

Peterson pats Ginger.

Now it's moments like these

that give the bad days a little extra light.

Small opportunities like this may confront you

from time to time, but only if you pay careful attention.

Don't be afraid to go out of your own way

and indulge in these pockets of light

to give yourself a break from the absurdity of existence.

Subscribe to this channel for more videos like this.

And if you got value from this video,

help me spread it to the world by copying

my pinned comment below and tweeting it to @jordanbpeterson.

Thanks for watching.

My name is Brandon,

and I hope this video made you one percent better.