WHY YOU SHOULD KEEP MOVING FORWARD EVERYDAY - Jordan Peterson
The article is a theoretical piece.
The article discusses the importance of having a vision and taking responsibility in one's life.
Main topics: the importance of having a vision, taking responsibility, developing a plan, self-care, the value of meaning, and the price of responsibility. Secondary topics: the negative consequences of not having a vision, the benefits of having a positive attitude, the necessity of dealing with suffering, the importance of not being burdened to others, and the value of having a goal-directed framework in life.
- Introduction
- The fear of moving forward
- The danger of not moving forward
- Developing a vision
- The practicality of having a vision
- Responsibility and meaning
- The choice between meaning and responsibility-free life
- Treating yourself properly
- What do you want and need in five years?
- Conclusion
The Importance of Moving Forward Every Day: Insights from Jordan Peterson
Jordan Peterson advocates for the importance of moving forward every day, despite fear or uncertainty. He argues that not moving forward is actually more dangerous than facing the unknown. People often hesitate as they are unsure of the right decision or lack the effort and energy to make a move. This hesitation can lead to resentment and bitterness, deception and lies, and a life of disappointments and tragedies without any forward movement.
Peterson believes that human beings are visionaries and everything changes when an individual switches their goals. Changing one's orientation or goals determines what one sees in the world. For instance, if someone decides to be trusting and courageous, they will start seeing opportunities instead of traps. Therefore, changing one's goals, even in a metaphysical sense leads to a change in the manifested reality.
Constructing a Vision and Taking Responsibility
Peterson argues that practicality is embedded within constructing a vision. Without a vision, one is fragmented and hopeless, which can lead to disappointments and tragedies. Taking on responsibility and burden is critical to one's sense of meaning and purpose in life. One's sense of meaning is proportionate to the level of responsibility taken on. Consequently, living a meaningful life is only possible by embracing responsibility for one's actions. Peterson suggests that imagining taking care of oneself and loving oneself is a valid way to come to terms with one's flaws and begin caring for oneself.
In conclusion, Peterson believes that pushing forward every day is vital to a fulfilling life. It is necessary to realize that life is difficult, and challenges are inevitable. Taking responsibility and having a vision are vital to making life meaningful and fulfilling. Therefore, one should strive to move forward and embrace responsibility while constructing a vision of their life.
The information in the article can influence other areas of life, such as personal development, goal-setting, and taking responsibility. It emphasizes the importance of having a vision and setting goals to create a meaningful and fulfilling life. The article also promotes the idea of taking responsibility and being willing to bear the weight of one's actions, which can have a positive impact on decision-making, relationships, and success.
What is missing from the article is a discussion on the role of education and knowledge acquisition in achieving one's goals. While having a vision and setting goals are important, it is also essential to have the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve them. For example, if someone wants to triple their income, they may need to acquire new skills or education to succeed in their chosen field.
The author of the article misses the importance of external factors, such as socioeconomic status, systemic inequalities, and discrimination, which can impact an individual's ability to achieve their goals. While setting goals and taking responsibility can have a positive impact, it is also important to acknowledge and address systemic issues that may hinder one's progress. Additionally, the article does not address the role of mental health and wellbeing in goal-setting and personal development.
One contradiction in the article is the idea that everyone can achieve their goals with enough effort and determination, while also acknowledging that some clients in the author's clinical practice were in such dire situations that all they could do was buffer against them. It is important to recognize that systemic issues and external factors can impact a person's ability to achieve their goals and that it is not solely based on individual effort and determination.
Question 1
Why should foreign people be more afraid of not moving forward?
"...you should be way more afraid of not moving forward...your life is going to be difficult and it's going to be marked by suffering..."
Question 2
How can switching goals change one's perception of reality?
"...when you switch your goals what appears to you in the world switches...I've changed the reality that manifests itself to me just by changing the direction of my orientation..."
Question 3
What is the importance of developing a vision?
"...there is nothing more practical than developing a vision...without a vision you're chaotic and fragmented and hopeless and disappointed and someone can stop you just by putting up a single obstacle..."
Question 4
What is the suggested method for helping someone who doesn't care about themselves?
"...just imagine that you did [care for yourself]...just imagine that you should take care of yourself and that you could and that you did...think okay I'm a valuable person maybe and if I was treating myself like I had intrinsic value...I'm not being casual about this it's hard for people to do this right because we know our own flaws so deeply it's hard for us to take care of ourselves..."
Quiz 1: The Meaning of Life
- a. To find pleasure and avoid pain
- b. To find purpose and take responsibility
- c. To find love and be loved
- d. To find success and be successful b. To find purpose and take responsibility
What is the meaning of life?
- a. To seek pleasure and avoid pain
- b. To accept responsibility and take risks
- c. To find love and be loved
- d. To seek success and be successful b. To accept responsibility and take risks
What is the best way to live a meaningful life?
- a. To accept it and move on
- b. To deny it and move on
- c. To ignore it and move on
- d. To confront it and move on a. To accept it and move on
What is the best way to deal with disappointment and tragedy?
Quiz 2: Visionary Constructor
- a. To be courageous and trusting
- b. To be skeptical and timid
- c. To be calculating and strategic
- d. To be instrumental and manipulative c. To be calculating and strategic
What is the best way to interact with the world?
- a. With enthusiasm and optimism
- b. With caution and skepticism
- c. With a sense of responsibility
- d. With a sense of entitlement a. With enthusiasm and optimism
What is the best way to approach a desired goal?
- a. With a sense of purpose and meaning
- b. With a sense of chaos and fragmentation
- c. With a sense of hope and disappointment
- d. With a sense of control and manipulation a. With a sense of purpose and meaning
What is the best way to develop a vision?
Quiz 3: Taking Care of Yourself
- a. As if you had no flaws
- b. As if you had intrinsic value
- c. As if you were someone you love
- d. As if you were someone you hate c. As if you were someone you love
What is the best way to take care of yourself?
- a. To accept it and move on
- b. To deny it and move on
- c. To ignore it and move on
- d. To confront it and move on a. To accept it and move on
What is the best way to deal with obstacles and betrayal?
- a. To seek pleasure and avoid pain
- b. To accept responsibility and take risks
- c. To find love and be loved
- d. To seek success and be successful b. To accept responsibility and take risks
What is the best way to live a life free of resentment and bitterness?
- Visualize a positive future: Imagine a future for yourself that is filled with positivity and success. This will motivate you to keep moving forward and taking steps towards that future.
- Set achievable goals: Break down your bigger goals into smaller, achievable ones. This will make it easier for you to see progress and keep you motivated to keep moving forward.
- Take responsibility: Accept that you are responsible for your own life and the decisions you make. This will empower you to take control and make positive changes.
- Embrace challenges: Don't shy away from challenges and obstacles. Instead, see them as opportunities for growth and learning.
- Trust yourself: Believe in your own abilities and trust that you can succeed. This will give you the confidence to keep moving forward even when things get tough.
The best tip to include in daily life would be setting achievable goals. By breaking your bigger goals into smaller, achievable ones, you can see progress and stay motivated. This can be applied to various areas of your life such as career, fitness, and personal growth. Additionally, by achieving smaller goals, you build the confidence and skills needed to tackle bigger goals.