Jordan Peterson: How To Become The Person You’ve Always Wanted To Be | E113 | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Jordan Peterson discusses the importance of truth, the pursuit of individuality, and the role of struggle in personal growth.

Key Insights

• 🤔 It's important to meditate on what we're doing wrong in order to make necessary changes and improve ourselves.
• 💪 Putting ourselves in the virtuous and powerful position possible is a crucial step in overcoming challenges.
• 😔 Triumph can often come from the depth of despair, but the journey is not without its hardships and pain.
• 🔒 Being trapped is often a result of our own inadequacies, but we can take actions to improve our situations.
• 👥 Building honest and truthful relationships is crucial to true connection with others.
• 🌟 The pursuit of truth and authenticity can have a profound impact on our lives and relationships.
• ⚖️ Struggle and chaos are integral parts of life, and avoiding them does not lead to true fulfillment.
• 😊 Encouraging individuals to find their own truth and authenticity is the best way to support their growth and happiness.

Transcript

if you want to know something about yourself sit on your bed one night and say what's one thing I'm doing wrong that I know I'm doing wrong that I could fix that I would fix you meditate on that you'll get an answer and it won't be one you want but it'll be the necessary one when you're trapped some of it's your own inadequacy what you can do to be... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Peterson recommend finding a balance between wearing a persona and being one's true self in social interactions?

Peterson emphasizes the importance of crafting an authentic persona or avatar that mediates between one's true self and social encounters. While it is necessary to adapt to certain situations, he warns against the danger of only presenting a functional shell, as it can prevent genuine connections and lead to feelings of unhappiness and unfulfillment. To strike a balance, it is crucial to be truthful and come to terms with one's inadequacies while working towards personal growth and developing a strong sense of self.

Q: How can one effectively encourage and support a friend or partner without imposing their own biases and intentions onto them?

Peterson suggests that the best way to help someone is to listen to them empathetically and ask genuine questions. Instead of trying to impose one's own agenda or ideas onto the other person, it is important to understand their perspective and provide a space for them to untangle their thoughts and emotions. By listening actively and demonstrating a commitment to understanding, one can offer meaningful support without overpowering or stifling the individual's own journey.

Q: Why does Peterson argue against pursuing happiness as the ultimate goal in life?

Peterson believes that aiming solely for happiness is an incomplete and shallow pursuit. Rather than investing in short-term happiness, he recommends pursuing the highest possible good and living a meaningful life. While happiness may arise as a byproduct of such a pursuit, it is not the ultimate goal. Peterson suggests that the pursuit of truth, the development of virtue, and the ability to find awe and transcendence in life's challenges provide a deeper and more fulfilling experience than fleeting happiness alone.

Q: How does Peterson view the tectonic shifts caused by the pandemic and the resulting societal changes?

Peterson points out that the pandemic exposed our societal naivety and lack of preparation to handle such challenges. While there may have been genuine physical risks, he believes that the overreaction and rush toward imitating totalitarian societies indicate a fundamental inadequacy in the face of adversity. The long-term consequences and lessons to be learned from the pandemic are yet to be fully understood, but Peterson suggests that they may highlight our societal shortcomings and the need for individual responsibility and resilience.

Q: What does Peterson recommend as a better question to ask someone in a check-in rather than "Are you happy?"

Peterson suggests asking the simple question, "How are you doing?" This question allows the person to express their well-being in a more nuanced way, acknowledging the highs and lows they may be experiencing. By asking this question genuinely and actively listening to their response, one can provide support and understanding without imposing a narrow definition of happiness onto them. This open-ended question allows for a more authentic and meaningful conversation.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Peterson emphasizes the necessity of being truthful with oneself and others, as dishonesty can warp one's perception and lead to a lack of meaning and fulfillment in life.

• He advocates for putting oneself in the most virtuous and powerful negotiating position possible, especially in the face of adversity, by taking responsibility for one's own inadequacies and striving for personal development.

• Peterson argues against the idea of aiming solely for happiness, as it is ephemeral, and instead suggests aiming to be good and live a meaningful life, facing the inevitable struggles that come with it.