The More Successful You Are The Longer You’ll Live: Will Storr
Aug 8, 2022
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Will Storr, an award-winning author focused on psychology and human behavior, reveals intriguing insights about vulnerability and success. He discusses how childhood experiences shape our self-esteem and critiques the self-esteem movement. Storr explores the pursuit of status, emphasizing its complex role in human behavior and mental health. He also examines the impact of social dynamics on ambition and connections, advocating for a balanced approach to identity in the modern world. His book, 'The Status Game,' dives deeper into these captivating topics.
Childhood experiences shape self-esteem and behaviors throughout life, emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance and understanding.
Storytelling is a powerful tool in business and marketing, connecting with audiences through emotions and creating a sense of belonging.
Status games are deeply ingrained in human society, with status being a fundamental need for feeling valued and recognized.
Pursuing status can lead to positive outcomes, but it is important to maintain a healthy balance and prioritize mental well-being.
Deep dives
The Impact of Childhood Upbringing and Self-Esteem on Personal Development
The speaker shares personal experiences of growing up in a strict and religious household, which influenced their perception of self-esteem. They discuss the importance of self-acceptance and how childhood experiences can shape one's self-esteem and behaviors throughout life. They emphasize the role of genetics and early experiences in shaping personality traits and vulnerability to certain mindsets. The speaker highlights the ongoing process of self-discovery and the significance of maintaining a supportive and balanced inner voice.
The Role of Storytelling in Business and Marketing
The importance of storytelling in business and marketing strategies is discussed. The speaker explains that humans are wired to think in narratives and emotions, making storytelling a powerful tool for connecting with others. They emphasize the need to understand the emotions, values, and motivations of the target audience and create narratives that resonate with them. Examples of successful brand storytelling, such as Nike's Colin Kaepernick campaign, are mentioned to illustrate the effectiveness of using storytelling to elicit emotional responses and create a sense of belonging among consumers.
The Significance of Status Games in Human Behavior
The podcast explores the concept and impact of status games in human behavior. The speaker explains that status, being valued and recognized by others, is a fundamental human need. They clarify that status is not necessarily about wealth or fame, but about feeling of value within a particular group or context. Various status games are discussed, including money, fame, simplicity, intellectualism, and social activism. The speaker highlights the subconscious nature of status pursuit and how it affects our interactions and behaviors.
Understanding the Complexities of Status and its Influence
The complexities of status and its influence on individuals are examined. The speaker emphasizes that status games are diverse and deeply ingrained in human society. They discuss how different individuals and groups assign status to various factors, such as money, material possessions, simplicity, or social causes. The speaker also explores the subconscious nature of status pursuit and how it can shape personal values and behavior. They emphasize the importance of acknowledging the role of status in human interactions and understanding the varied motivations behind status games.
The Importance of Pursuing Status in a Positive Way
The pursuit of status is a natural human instinct and can be a driving force for personal achievements and accomplishments. Whether it's excelling in a particular field or contributing to a worthy cause, seeking status can lead to positive outcomes. However, it is important to pursue status in a healthy and balanced way, without becoming addicted or overly obsessed with it.
The Impact of Insecurity and Low Self-Worth on Status Addiction
Insecurity and low self-worth can be predictors of becoming addicted to status games. While personality traits such as extraversion and competitiveness can play a role, childhood experiences and socioeconomic factors also contribute. People who had a low status in childhood may have a stronger drive to seek status as adults. However, it is important to note that genetic components and individual differences also play a significant role in one's inclination towards status pursuits.
The Connection Between Status and Mental Health
Status games, whether in the form of dominance, success, or virtue, can have a significant impact on mental health. Studies have shown that lower status individuals often experience worse health outcomes, while higher status individuals tend to be happier. This connection between status and mental health is attributed to how our brains perceive and respond to our position in social hierarchies. Drops in status can lead to vulnerability and negative psychological consequences, emphasizing the importance of finding a balance and maintaining mental well-being within the context of status pursuits.
The Trade-Offs and Complexities of Status Games
Engaging in status games involves trade-offs and complexities. While competition and rivalry can be motivators for success, excessive focus on status can also lead to negative consequences. It is crucial to understand that individual experiences and perspectives vary greatly in status games. The desire for status can provide motivation, but it is important to approach it with mindfulness and self-awareness, recognizing that genuine connections, personal growth, and well-being are just as vital as external achievements.
Will is an author who brings out the unexpected ways that we’re vulnerable, and how to manage those vulnerabilities and turn them into strengths. The author of six books including Sunday Times bestsellers, he’s one of the most interesting voices on how we can manage our worst impulses to succeed in the modern world.
In a conversation that covers everything from are we more narcissistic than we used to be to how a desire for status underpins all of our ambitions, to how to deal with low self esteem and suicidal thoughts, Will held nothing back on this unfiltered exploration of the surprising strategies we can employ to deal with the dark sides of life.
Will’s new book, The Status Game, is out now in the UK and in the US on the 23rd August.
