#126 Hearts on Fire - David Perell on curiosity, being a citizen of the internet, taking himself seriously, childhood obsessions, building Write of Passage, ambition, and money
Personal beliefs and scripts for success are deeply influenced by family and place.
Passion for learning and curiosity can lead to success, even outside traditional school environments.
Finding work that aligns with both talent and passion is crucial for a fulfilling career.
Deep dives
Growing up with inherited stories and scripts
The speaker discusses the influence of family, place, and influences on the formation of his own stories and scripts for success. He shares how his father's experiences and anxiety shaped his own beliefs about destiny and the fear of failure. Growing up in Silicon Valley during a time of wealth creation also instilled a script about the importance of money. However, his passion for learning and curiosity helped him break free from these inherited scripts and forge his own path.
The disconnect between school and curiosity
The speaker reflects on his experience with school and how it rewarded obedience rather than curiosity. He shares his realization that his fascination with airplanes, curiosity, and determination did not align with a traditional school environment that prioritized obedience and conformity. Despite not being a good student, his passion for learning was ignited by projects and activities that allowed him to pursue his interests and demonstrate his determination.
Having faith in personal intuition
The speaker emphasizes the importance of having faith in personal intuition and following one's own path. He shares his own experience of feeling a deep sense of purpose and alignment with his chosen pursuits, even when it was difficult to articulate or prove to others. He believes that true success comes from finding the intersection of what comes naturally and brings joy, as well as having a compelling sense of purpose and duty.
Surrounding oneself with supportive mentors
The speaker highlights the significance of seeking guidance and support from experienced mentors. He points out that people are often willing to help young individuals who are highly curious and driven. He shares his own experiences of seeking out older mentors, particularly in the golfing community, and how their wisdom and guidance positively influenced his personal and professional growth. Having supportive mentors helps young people gain knowledge and perspective, which can be instrumental in navigating their own paths.
The Importance of Talent and Passion in Work
Finding work that aligns with both talent and passion is crucial. The speaker emphasizes that doing work solely for the sake of making money or for its temporary benefits can lead to burnout and dissatisfaction. To build a successful and fulfilling career, it is necessary to identify and pursue work that combines both talent and passion. By defining these attributes more narrowly, individuals can have a clearer sense of what they want to do and build organizations that align with their values.
Remote Work and Intentional Culture
The podcast explores the concept of remote work, highlighting its potential to foster a return to intentional culture. It argues that the ongoing debate between remote and in-person companies is artificial, as the starting conditions do not determine success. Instead, the key is being intentional about creating a strong company culture regardless of the chosen work setup. Building a remote-first culture requires clear vision and planning, leveraging technology to maintain effective communication, and fostering a bias for action to succeed in a virtual environment.
This episode was a delight. I've been following David's journey since 2017 and he was one of the fellow internet weirdos I saw on a similar path that didn't quite make sense. I've been inspired by how many people David has helped onboard as "citizens of the internet" through his course Write of Passage. I'm rooting for David and I think you'll want to as well by the end of this episode.
