#688 - Steven Bartlett - 17 Raw Lessons About Human Nature
Oct 2, 2023
02:09:06
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Steven Bartlett, founder of Social Chain, discusses 17 raw lessons about human nature. Topics covered include unbreakable discipline, dealing with media pile-ons, the power of weirdness, and discovering fake ambition. They also explore the impact of framing, labeling theory, and overcoming procrastination. The podcast delves into the role of pain and adversity in motivation, the toxic fuel of resentment, and breaking free from deep expertise. Lastly, they discuss conforming to societal norms, the challenges of fame, and maintaining integrity in the face of external pressures.
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Quick takeaways
The importance of keeping commitments to oneself as a cornerstone of success and self-esteem.
Differentiating between pioneers and parrots when it comes to mastering a craft.
Losing insecurities and shame allows for the emergence of intrinsically motivated ambitions.
Embarking on a personal growth journey often leads to feeling disconnected from old friends and struggling to find a new sense of identity.
Focusing on the details and committing to marginal gains can lead to a sense of progress and momentum.
The importance of identifying the market where your core skill set is in low supply and yields the greatest return.
Deep dives
The Importance of the Frame in Marketing and Perception
The speaker discusses how the frame or context in which something is presented influences its perceived value. Examples include the Apple Store's clean presentation of products and the effect of a can on people's perception of a drink.
The Inability to Choose Beliefs
The speaker argues that beliefs are not consciously chosen, but rather based on the evidence we accept as true. Changing beliefs requires encountering new evidence that counters our existing beliefs.
Keeping Commitments to Yourself
The speaker emphasizes the importance of keeping commitments to oneself as a cornerstone of success and self-esteem. By consistently following through on commitments, individuals build self-trust and change their self-narrative.
Pioneers vs. Parrots
The speaker differentiates between pioneers and parrots when it comes to mastering a craft. Pioneers are deep practitioners who spend years obsessively honing their skills, while parrots lack the depth of understanding and merely repeat what they've learned from others.
The Power of Real Ambitions
Losing insecurities and shame allows for the emergence of intrinsically motivated ambitions. The realization that external factors cannot increase intrinsic value frees individuals to pursue goals that align with their true desires.
The Loneliness of Personal Growth
Embarking on a personal growth journey often leads to feeling disconnected from old friends and struggling to find a new sense of identity. This 'lonely chapter' is a common experience for those seeking personal development and success.
The Importance of Sweating the Small Stuff
Paying attention to the small things in life and consistently making small improvements can have a compounding effect. Focusing on the details and committing to marginal gains can lead to a sense of progress and momentum.
Making Pressure Your Privilege
Pressure is a privilege, as it indicates that one is living a life of purpose and meaning. Embracing discomfort and navigating pressure with resilience can lead to personal growth and success.
Finding the Right Market for Your Skill Set
The podcast discusses the importance of identifying the market where your core skill set is in low supply and yields the greatest return. The speaker shares personal experiences of finding success by matching their skill set to industries with high demand and limited supply. They emphasize that focusing on core skills and market demand can lead to greater opportunities and rewards.
The Dangers of Mono Thinking and Tribalism
The podcast explores the concept of mono thinking, which refers to relying on a single explanation or ideology for various phenomena. The speaker explains that this type of thinking can limit one's ability to think critically and embrace diverse viewpoints. They caution against conforming to cookie-cutter ideologies and emphasize the importance of holding contradictory thoughts and being open to different perspectives. The speaker also highlights the role of tribalism in perpetuating mono thinking and the challenges of breaking away from societal expectations.
The Impact of Fame and Status
The podcast delves into how fame and status can affect individuals and their sense of self. The speaker shares insights from conversations with individuals who have experienced rapid fame and how it can lead to anxiety, pressure, and a sense of uncertainty. They emphasize the importance of staying true to one's instincts and principles, even when faced with external pressures. The speaker also explores the negative effects of conformity and the need to cultivate resilience amidst societal expectations.
The Value of Curiosity and First Principles
The podcast highlights the power of curiosity and leading with first principles in creative endeavors. The speaker praises individuals who create from a place of genuine curiosity, driven by their own values and interests. They emphasize the importance of staying true to oneself and following personal passions, even when faced with external pressures. The speaker commends the consistency and inspiration that comes from acting on one's curiosity and first principles.
Steven Bartlett is the Founder of Social Chain, an entrepreneur, a podcaster and an author.
How to become a functioning human is a difficult skill to work out. Should I focus on achieving goals or inner peace? Can I become confident without being arrogant? Thankfully Steven has spent the last 2 years distilling a ton of lessons into his new book, and today we get to go through my favourites.
Expect to learn Steven’s equation for unbreakable discipline, the biggest lesson from dealing with mainstream media pile-ons, why there are so few actual practitioners in the world, how to stop being your biggest critic, why your weirdness is the ultimate competitive advantage, how Steven discovered he was riddled with fake ambition and much more…
