ADVICE To Young People In Their 20's | Jordan Peterson & Lewis Howes

Greatness Clips - Lewis Howes

24 Apr 202112:35

Summary

TLDRIn this video script, the speaker emphasizes the importance of developing key skills in one's 20s for overall success. They highlight maintaining physical health, fostering relationships, and cultivating reliability and generosity as crucial. The speaker also discusses the value of a strong network and the profound satisfaction derived from helping others. They delve into the concept of 'enlightened self-interest,' suggesting that acting ethically not only benefits others but also aligns with one's long-term self-interest, leading to a fulfilling life.

Takeaways

💪 Maintain physical health by exercising and avoiding excessive drinking and substance abuse.
🧠 Exercise is crucial for maintaining cognitive function as you age.
👫 Foster and maintain relationships as they become increasingly valuable with age.
🔗 Build a wide network of connections as it can open doors to opportunities and knowledge.
🌟 Be reliable, generous, and develop a reputation for being someone others want to collaborate with.
🤔 Cultivate philosophical sophistication to better understand and navigate the world.
🌱 Helping others is more rewarding than focusing solely on personal gain.
💰 Consider long-term interests when making decisions, as they align with acting ethically and benefiting others.
🏆 Aim to win in a way that also benefits others, creating a win-win situation.
🔄 Understand that you are a community of selves across time, and act in a manner that benefits your future self.

Q & A

What are the key skills people should develop in their 20s according to the transcript?
-The key skills mentioned are maintaining good physical health, fostering and maintaining relationships, and developing philosophical sophistication.
How does the transcript suggest one can tell if they are drinking too much?
-The transcript suggests that if one regrets their actions while drinking, it interferes with their goals, causes financial distress, or gets them in trouble with friends, family, or the police, they are likely drinking too much.
Why is physical health important according to the transcript?
-Physical health is important because it can improve one's strength, coordination, and cognitive ability. It also contributes to living a longer, healthier life and can help stave off the decline in fluid intelligence.
What role do relationships play in success according to the transcript?
-Relationships play a crucial role in success as they form a valuable network that becomes more beneficial as one gets older. Being reliable, generous, and having a wide connection network are key to success.
What is the significance of a connection network as mentioned in the transcript?
-A connection network is significant because it can provide access to a wide range of opportunities and resources. It can also increase one's influence and the likelihood of being chosen for collaborative endeavors.
How does the transcript define philosophical sophistication?
-Philosophical sophistication is defined as having a well-rounded understanding of the world, which can orient one properly and provide insights into the value of actions such as helping others.
Why is helping others considered more rewarding than other activities?
-Helping others is considered more rewarding because it provides a deep sense of satisfaction and fulfillment that is unmatched by other experiences. It aligns with the idea of community and shared success.
What is the concept of 'enlightened self-interest' as discussed in the transcript?
-Enlightened self-interest refers to the idea that acting in a manner that benefits one's entire community across time is also the best strategy for long-term personal success and happiness.
How does the transcript connect the concept of community to the future?
-The transcript connects the concept of community to the future by stating that once humans discovered the future, they became a community of selves stretched across time, leading to a community ethic that values shared success.
What is the importance of being reliable and generous in the context of the transcript?
-Being reliable and generous is important because it makes one more desirable to collaborate with, leading to more opportunities and a better chance of success in various aspects of life.
How does the transcript relate the idea of playing games to real-life interactions?
-The transcript uses the idea of playing games to illustrate how fair and generous behavior in one interaction can lead to more opportunities for collaboration in the future, emphasizing the value of trust and mutual benefit.

Outlines

00:00

💪 Developing Essential Skills in Your 20s

The paragraph emphasizes the importance of physical health, avoiding substance abuse, and maintaining good relationships during one's 20s. It suggests that being in good physical condition can lead to a longer and healthier life, and that exercising can help maintain cognitive abilities. The speaker also highlights the value of having a reliable and generous character, as well as a wide network of connections, which becomes increasingly valuable with age. The paragraph concludes with a discussion on the benefits of helping others and how it can be more rewarding than focusing solely on personal gain.

05:01

🤔 The Philosophy of Generosity and Reliability

This paragraph delves into the concept that being generous and reliable is not only a moral stance but also a practical strategy for long-term success. It uses a hypothetical game scenario to illustrate how fair distribution of resources can lead to more opportunities in the future. The speaker argues that acting ethically is the best strategy for personal gain, as it builds a reputation that attracts more opportunities. The discussion also touches on the idea of the 'community of selves' across time, suggesting that acting in the best interest of one's future self involves considering the impact on others.

10:03

🎖️ The Significance of Early Experiences and Socialization

The final paragraph discusses the impact of early experiences on an individual's life course, using the example of a person who had a revelatory moment that led to a commitment to personal improvement. It also explores the role of socialization, particularly in the military, in shaping values such as teamwork and loyalty. The narrative suggests that these values are crucial for leadership and success, as they foster trust and support among peers.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Physical Health

Physical health refers to the general condition of a person's body, including the ability to function and be free from illness, injury, or pain. In the video, it is emphasized as a foundational aspect of personal development in one's 20s. The script mentions that being in good physical condition can lead to a longer, healthier life, and better cognitive function. It is used as an example of a basic yet crucial element for personal success and well-being.

💡Substance Abuse

Substance abuse is the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs. The script warns against the negative impacts of substance abuse, particularly alcohol, which can lead to financial distress, health issues, and strained relationships. It is presented as a behavior that should be curbed to ensure personal growth and success.

💡Cognitive Ability

Cognitive ability encompasses various aspects of mental function, such as memory, attention, language, perceptual skills, and problem-solving. The video suggests that maintaining physical fitness through exercise can help preserve cognitive function as one ages. It is highlighted as an important factor in staying sharp and capable throughout life.

💡Relationships

Relationships refer to the various types of interpersonal connections that people form. The script underscores the importance of maintaining and fostering relationships for success. It mentions that successful people are often reliable, generous, and have a wide network of connections, which becomes increasingly valuable as they get older.

💡Connection Network

A connection network is the web of professional and personal contacts that an individual has. The video stresses the value of having a robust connection network, suggesting that it can open doors to opportunities and provide access to resources. It is portrayed as a significant advantage that comes with age and experience.

💡Philosophical Sophistication

Philosophical sophistication refers to a deep understanding of philosophical concepts and principles. The video implies that having a sophisticated sense of the world can help orient one's actions and decisions. It is linked to the idea that doing things for others can be more rewarding than focusing solely on oneself.

💡Generosity

Generosity is the quality of being willing to give more of one's time, money, or resources than the minimum required. In the context of the video, generosity is presented as a virtue that not only benefits others but also enhances one's own life by making one more attractive as a partner in social and professional interactions.

💡Productivity

Productivity refers to the efficiency of an individual's work or the rate at which products are produced. The script encourages being productive and making others better around you, which can lead to more opportunities and invitations to 'play' (participate) in various endeavors.

💡Ethical Argument

An ethical argument is a line of reasoning that seeks to establish principles of right and wrong, which can guide actions and decisions. The video presents the ethical argument that being a good person is the best strategy for achieving personal success and happiness. It is used to illustrate that acting in the best interest of others aligns with one's own long-term self-interest.

💡Community of Selves

The concept of a 'community of selves' refers to the idea that an individual is not just a single entity but a collection of selves across different times and stages of life. The video uses this concept to argue that acting in a way that benefits this community, such as through ethical behavior, is a form of enlightened self-interest.

💡Leadership

Leadership is the act of leading a group of people or an organization. The script discusses the importance of leadership in the context of the Navy SEALs, where looking out for one's team is a fundamental value. It suggests that being a good leader involves having the trust and support of one's team, which is earned by demonstrating reliability and commitment.

Highlights

The importance of being in good physical condition in one's 20s for overall well-being and success.

Identifying signs of excessive drinking and its negative impacts on life goals, finances, and relationships.

The significance of physical health in maintaining cognitive ability and preventing decline.

Exercise, particularly cardiovascular and weightlifting, as an effective way to maintain cognitive function.

The natural decline in fluid intelligence starting at around age 25 and how exercise can mitigate this.

The value of maintaining and fostering relationships for long-term success and support networks.

The concept that successful people are reliable, generous, and have extensive connection networks.

The advantage of older individuals having a well-established connection network.

The practical example of how to build a valuable connection network through generosity and reliability.

The philosophical insight that helping others is more rewarding than materialistic pursuits.

The psychological satisfaction derived from being of service to others.

The game theory example illustrating the benefits of fair distribution of resources in social interactions.

The strategy of being a person others want to engage with by being productive, straightforward, and generous.

The ethical argument that being a good person is the best strategy for personal success and fulfillment.

The concept of the self as a community across time and the importance of acting in the best interest of this community.

The idea that enlightened self-interest aligns with acting in the best interest of others.

The importance of socialization and learning to prioritize the well-being of one's team, as exemplified by the Navy SEALs.

The necessity of trust and support in leadership positions, especially in high-stakes environments.