Pursuing Happiness Over Money Even if it Means You'll be Judged | Throwback Thursday from 11/12/19

Podcast Summary

• Encountering a passionate fan sparks inspiration: Following your dreams can lead to fulfilling experiences, even if it means making sacrifices.

  Following your passion and pursuing happiness can lead to fulfilling experiences, even if it means making sacrifices. Gary Vaynerchuk, the speaker in this audio clip, shared how a conversation with a fan before his keynote in New Jersey inspired him. The fan had quit his job and moved back to pursue his dreams, echoing Gary's own advice. This encounter, combined with being back in his home state, put Gary in a unique mindset. The discussion in the car ride with his team further fueled his thoughts on the importance of following one's passions. This theme resonates with Gary's overall message of hustle, grind, and living an authentic life.

• Emphasizing authenticity and delivering value: Damon's commitment to providing genuine advice and simple solutions resonates with audiences, drawing them to attend events in person.

  The speaker, Damon, and the audience members are driven by a shared desperation to add value and make a difference. The speaker emphasizes his commitment to delivering genuine and consistent advice, regardless of the topic or audience. He believes that the simplest solutions are often overlooked in favor of quick fixes or trendy products. The speaker's authenticity and dedication to providing value is what draws people to attend his events in person, rather than watching online. Ultimately, the speaker encourages the audience to embrace the simplicity of the solutions he presents and to be ready to hear and implement them.

• Focus on your own journey and values, not others' opinions: Emphasize personal growth and self-improvement over external validation and comparisons to others

  We should focus on living our lives based on our own values and goals, rather than being swayed by the opinions of others, be it strangers or family members. The speaker emphasizes that we all spent our high school years trying to impress people, and we continue to do so at a larger scale. However, not everyone has the same potential for success, and it's important to recognize and accept that. Instead, we should recalibrate our definition of success and focus on improving ourselves, rather than comparing ourselves to others. The speaker also highlights that making money is a skill that can be taught, but not everyone can reach the same level of success, just as not everyone can be a professional athlete or singer. We should strive to be the best versions of ourselves, rather than trying to live up to others' expectations. Ultimately, the speaker encourages us to focus on our own journey and goals, rather than being influenced by external opinions.

• Focus on unique perspectives and keep learning: Confidence to take risks and empathize with others are keys to success. Failure is natural, keep moving forward.

  Success is not determined by age, circumstances, or even personal beliefs about one's worth. The speaker, who has achieved significant financial success, encourages listeners to focus on their unique perspectives and to keep learning and growing, regardless of their current situation. He emphasizes that he doesn't claim to have all the answers, but rather encourages others to observe his actions and adapt them to their own lives. The key to success, according to the speaker, is having the confidence to take risks and the ability to empathize with others. He also emphasizes that failure is a natural part of the process and that it's important to keep moving forward, even when things don't go as planned. Ultimately, the speaker encourages listeners to find their own path to success, drawing inspiration from his own experiences and the lessons he's learned along the way.

• Fear of judgment can hold us back: Embrace unique stories and lessons, others focus on their own concerns, chip away at barriers to live authentic lives

  Fear of judgment can hold us back from trying new things and taking risks. This fear is often fueled by our environment and upbringing, but it's important to remember that others are also dealing with their own insecurities and judgments. To overcome this fear and start making progress, we can tell stories and focus on the truths that resonate with us. Just as we may have once been overly concerned about trivial matters like zits, we can learn that others are more focused on their own concerns. By sharing our experiences and learning from one another, we can begin to chip away at the barriers that hold us back and live more authentic, fulfilling lives. So, instead of letting fear of judgment dictate our actions, let's embrace our unique stories and the lessons they hold.

• Setting boundaries and prioritizing relationships: Focusing too much on societal pressure can hinder personal growth, prioritize relationships and embrace risks for a more fulfilling life, and remember 'fuck you' means setting personal boundaries

  Focusing too much on the middle, whether it's staying in an unhappy home or avoiding risks due to societal pressure, can hinder personal growth and happiness. Instead, prioritizing relationships with the people who matter most and embracing the edges, or taking calculated risks, can lead to a more fulfilling life. It's important to remember that "fuck you" doesn't mean judgment or disrespect, but rather the ability to set boundaries and make decisions that align with your own values and desires, even if they differ from others. The biggest mistake people make is living their lives based on the opinions of others, particularly parents, and not taking risks or making decisions that align with their own goals and aspirations.

• Pressure to conform to societal definitions of success can lead to unhappiness: Society's narrow definition of success can lead to unhappiness, depression, anxiety, and even substance abuse. Redefining success as happiness and fulfillment can lead to a more content and satisfied population.

  Societal pressure to conform to traditional definitions of success, such as wealth and career advancement, can lead to feelings of unhappiness and dissatisfaction later in life. People may initially feel content following their parents' or society's expectations, but as they age, they may begin to resent these choices and regret not pursuing their own passions. This can result in depression, anxiety, and even substance abuse. It's crucial for society to redefine success as being happy and fulfilled, rather than just financially successful. By doing so, individuals may be more likely to prioritize their own happiness and well-being, leading to a more content and satisfied population overall.