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[@ChrisWillx] The One Question To Hack Motivation - Dr Mike Israetel

· 4 min read
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@ChrisWillx - "The One Question To Hack Motivation - Dr Mike Israetel"

Link: https://youtu.be/P82JIkcyySs

Short Summary​

Here's the breakdown of the YouTube transcript:

  • Number One Action Item/Takeaway: Prioritize actions that benefit your future self, even if they are undesirable in the present.

  • Executive Summary: Simplify decision-making by categorizing actions into those you feel like doing now and those you don't. Focus on actions that may be undesirable in the present that benefit your future self and lead to better outcomes and a more desirable future.

Key Quotes​

Okay, here are some valuable insights, interesting data points, surprising statements, or strong opinions extracted from the transcript:

  1. "Many of us, ourselves included, me, you, all the other talking heads are coming to realize pretty regularly that focusing on very basic rudimentary understandings and eliminating mistakes from those understandings can build a foundation for real deep insight that in retrospect seems obvious as [ __ ] but prospectively may seem confusing."

  2. "Future you is your biggest ally. Period. Past you is completely dead, by the way. Future you is going to exist soon. And you're going to want to be a future you that you look back at all as many points as possible in a future you world to be like damn dude old me set the [ __ ] up good."

  3. "Short of like you're 95, you have a terminal prostate cancer diagnosis. At that point, if it's not hookers or alcohol coming into my room, there's a do not enter sign. But up until that point, I kind of want to reserve at least some fertile ground for the future."

  4. "I might like end up in a world later where future me has just got it goddamn easy. And uh the living is good. And then future you is going to be like, 'Dude, past me [ __ ] [ __ ] up.' And then if you're like me, you're like, 'Oh, there's still another future me in the future future. better work even harder.'"

Detailed Summary​

Here's a detailed summary of the YouTube video transcript, focusing on the key points and excluding any promotional content:

  • Central Argument: All decisions and activities can be categorized into two groups: things you want to do and things you don't want to do in the present moment. However, the value of these activities should be judged by their impact on your future self.

  • Simplification and Nuance: While experts often say things are "complicated" or "nuanced," simplifying concepts to basic understandings can lead to deep insights.

  • Decision Tree for "Things You Feel Like Doing":

    • Are there any pressing tasks needing immediate attention? (If yes, prioritize those.)
    • Will doing this thing hurt me (future self) or others? (If yes, reconsider.)
    • If the answers to the above are 'no', then you're likely good to proceed.

  • Decision Tree for "Things You Don't Feel Like Doing":

    • Will doing this thing improve future outcomes for your future self in a substantial way?
    • If no, then don't do it (avoiding harmful or negative situations).
    • If yes, seriously consider doing it, even if it's unpleasant in the present.

  • Future Self as Priority: The ultimate goal is to set up a better future for yourself. The speaker emphasizes that his current good life is a result of past actions he didn't necessarily enjoy at the time, but which yielded rewards later.

  • Avoiding Present Bias: It's crucial to avoid solely focusing on immediate gratification, as this can lead to regret and a negative future outcome.

  • Future You is Your Ally: Future you is your biggest ally. Actions taken now affect future you and you want future you to be in a good situation.

  • Quote on Second-Order Effects: The speaker highlights the quote that the second-order effects of current actions will arrive much later and have significant impact.

  • Importance of Early Realization: The earlier you can accept the reality of the long term affect of decisions and actions, the better off future you will be.

  • Making Things Easier For Future You: By consistently doing things you don't particularly enjoy in the present, you create a better future where life is easier and more enjoyable.