Steven Bartlett, Founder of Social Chain, discusses the concept of success and fulfillment, self-belief and the skill of quitting. They also explore the impact of Instagram on mental health and the importance of not voluntarily choosing to lose. Reflecting on the past, they share advice to their younger selves and emphasize gratitude, consistency, and entrepreneurial vision.
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Quick takeaways
Material success does not guarantee fulfillment; seek meaning beyond monetary achievements.
Financial success does not equate to happiness; prioritize mental and emotional well-being.
Quitting is a skill and knowing when to quit is crucial for pursuing more fulfilling endeavors.
Deep dives
Material success vs. meaningful fulfillment
The podcast explores the question of whether achieving material success, such as building a business and becoming a millionaire, leads to true satisfaction and success, or if it leaves a person feeling empty. The guest, Steven Bartlett, shares his insights and discusses why he found more satisfaction in a simple moment of finding £13 in a chicken shop than in being listed on a stock exchange. This challenges the notion that material success guarantees fulfillment and raises the importance of seeking meaning and fulfillment in life beyond monetary achievements.
The misery of billionaire friends
Steven Bartlett discusses his personal experience and observations regarding the unhappiness he has witnessed among his billionaire friends. Despite their immense wealth, he found that many of them were deeply miserable and tormented. This challenges the common belief that financial success automatically equates to happiness and emphasizes the need to prioritize mental and emotional well-being in one's pursuit of success.
Quitting as a skill
The podcast delves into the concept of quitting as a skill that is often overlooked. Steven Bartlett shares his perspective on quitting and reveals that he has always found it easy to quit throughout his life. He presents quitting as a necessary step before starting something new and emphasizes the importance of knowing when to quit in order to pursue more fulfilling endeavors. Bartlett also introduces a quitting framework he has developed, providing guidance on how to make decisions about quitting relationships, jobs, or other aspects of life.
Knowing when to quit: Suck vs. hard
When considering quitting something, there are typically two reasons: because it sucks or because it's hard. If something sucks, it means it's toxic or unfulfilling. If it's hard, it's a challenge that may be worth the potential reward. So, the key question to ask is whether the challenge is worth the potential reward. If the answer is yes, don't quit. However, if something sucks and you believe you can make it not suck, ask yourself if the effort to make it better is worth it. If it's not, then it may be time to quit.
Resisting labels and embracing challenges
Many people cling to labels that define their identity and limit their potential. The speaker advocates for resisting these labels and embracing the challenge of finding fulfillment in multiple passions and pursuits. Rather than being confined by societal expectations or past accomplishments, it is important to question assumptions and constantly experiment. This mindset enables personal growth, deeper self-awareness, and the pursuit of truly meaningful goals, rather than simply seeking external validation or following conventional paths.
Steven Bartlett is the Founder of Social Chain, an entrepreneur and an author.
Building a business, buying fast cars and becoming a millionaire is the peak of some people's dreams. But does achieving that actually satisfy you and create success? Or does it leave you hollow inside? And is it possible to achieve material success alongside meaningful fulfilment?
Expect to learn why £13 in chicken shop feels more satisfying than Social Chain being listed on a stock exchange, why Steven's billionaire friends are miserable, how to develop the skill of quitting, why Steven left dinner to do a bodyweight workout in his hotel room and much more...