Image of podcast

#727 - James Smith - Do You Actually Need Passion To Be Successful?

Modern Wisdom

Wed Jan 03 2024



Passion and Success:

  • James Smith stresses the importance of celebrating wins regardless of their scale, highlighting that all achievements should be acknowledged.
  • He discusses the misconception of needing passion for success, emphasizing the significance of recognizing small victories without undermining future aspirations.

Touring Experiences:

  • Chris Williamson and James Smith reflect on their touring experiences, noting the difference between online personas and real-life interactions with fans.
  • They discuss the disparity between internet cynicism and genuine vulnerability displayed by people in person, reflecting on the positivity found outside of virtual spaces.

Ambition and Career Choices:

  • The conversation delves into risk aversion and societal norms, emphasizing that playing it safe can lead to an unfulfilling life while taking risks could result in greater satisfaction.
  • They advocate for pursuing personal fulfillment over conforming to societal standards or seeking approval through conventional career paths.

Gratitude and Expectations:

  • The speakers explore the impact of managing expectations and expressing gratitude for accomplishments, highlighting how misplaced expectations can lead to disappointment despite significant achievements.
  • They emphasize a balanced approach where individuals celebrate even minor successes as a means of acknowledging progress without hindering further growth.

The Role of Fear in Everyday Decision Making:

  • Fear is associated with trivial concerns such as the appearance of a CV or asking someone for their contact details, hindering people from taking action.
  • It's highlighted that primitive fear mechanisms are being used for everyday tasks, potentially limiting individuals' pursuits.

Optimism and Success:

  • Emphasizes the importance of adopting an optimistic outlook on life due to the unpredictability of the future.
  • Encourages choosing a positive fantasy about the world over a negative one, suggesting it contributes to personal well-being and success.

Value of Becoming vs. Being:

  • Discusses the concept that the process of becoming something holds more value than actually achieving it.
  • Uses examples like martial arts and career aspirations to illustrate how the journey towards a goal can be more fulfilling than its attainment.

Survivorship Bias in Success Narratives:

  • Considers survivorship bias in success stories, highlighting how individuals who achieve success often overlook those who didn't make it.
  • Explores Ricky Gervais' perspective on enjoying the struggle leading to success rather than just focusing on the end result.

Hard Work and Achievement:

  • Highlights the correlation between hard work and successful outcomes, particularly in relation to storytelling around achievements.
  • Stresses that openly discussing effort, self-doubt, and persistence makes extraordinary accomplishments seem more attainable.

Decision-Making Process and Effort:

  • Encourages continuous effort and unwavering belief in potential outcomes regardless of individual circumstances or endeavors.
  • Discusses how consistent effort can lead to trust-building opportunities even when faced with limitations.

Luck, Timing, and Preparation:

  • Addresses luck as a combination of preparation meeting opportunity.
  • Acknowledges that timing plays a significant role in seizing opportunities while also emphasizing hard work as essential for capitalizing on fortunate situations.

Paralysis of Options and Decision Making:

  • Discusses how having numerous options can complicate decision-making processes by increasing psychological pressure.
  • Offers insights into managing choices effectively using principles such as "if it isn't a hell yeah, it's a no."

Male Sedation Hypothesis:

  • Men are being sedated out of their reproductive and status-seeking behavior by a combination of factors such as porn, social media screens, and video games.
  • These sedative influences have led to high groups of sexless men under the age of 30, resulting in high testosterone levels and antisocial behavior.
  • The hypothesis suggests that these sedative elements may be suppressing behaviors that historically led to dispossessed groups causing riots or upheavals.

Perception vs Reality:

  • The way individuals perceive the world is influenced by the information they are fed about it rather than the actual situation.
  • Examples like using oversized checks to skew reality demonstrate how external cues can alter people's perceptions.
  • It's highlighted that pessimistic or doubtful friends within one's social circle can significantly impact an individual's perception of the world around them.

Existential Risks and Priorities:

  • Climate change is discussed as not being an existential risk priority. Other risks such as natural pandemics, engineered pandemics, nuclear weapons, AI, and more are considered more pressing concerns.
  • The discussion emphasizes that there are ways to address climate change while improving quality of life that deserve greater attention than current efforts.

Leadership Intelligence:

  • An example is given from Machiavelli suggesting that estimating a ruler's intelligence involves looking at those around them.
  • A study involving British MPs' mathematical knowledge revealed low percentages getting basic probability questions correct, indicating potential shortcomings in leadership intelligence.

Professional Dynamics:

  • Anecdotes from corporate environments reveal instances where personal gain through unethical means was encouraged and rewarded within certain work cultures.
  • This highlights challenges related to workplace politics, questionable ethics, and the prevalence of pretense among colleagues across various professional settings.

Social Circles and Growth Velocity:

  • Finding peers who match one's personal growth velocity is described as challenging due to differing struggles, dreams, goals, and values.
  • The importance of surrounding oneself with individuals ahead in personal development to facilitate growth is emphasized.

James Smith's Perspective on Success:

  • James Smith finds success in doing things on his own terms and focusing on the process rather than the outcome.
  • He takes pride in accomplishing personal goals, such as obtaining residency, finding a partner, and settling down by the beach.
  • His definition of success involves engaging in activities he loves, like creating content and helping clients, while continually challenging himself.

Handling Public Speaking Anxiety:

  • James Smith approaches public speaking as a game, aiming to detach emotionally from outcomes and view it as a scorecard.
  • He uses this mindset to manage high-arousal situations, like performing in front of large crowds or dealing with technical difficulties during live events.

Observations on Fitness Industry Changes:

  • Social media has shifted the fitness industry towards being more focused on popularity contests and algorithm gaming rather than genuine advice and coaching.
  • There is an increase in superficial content where individuals prioritize showcasing their physical appearance over providing meaningful guidance.

Challenges of Imitation within the Fitness Industry:

  • The industry is experiencing saturation with creators copying each other's content, leading to a lack of original ideas and an incestuous pit of repetition.

Fitness Industry Challenges:

  • Financial struggles have made it difficult for many individuals to afford personal training or gym memberships, exacerbating disparities in access to fitness.
  • The pandemic has led to a disenchantment with fitness, as many people perceive it as a privilege due to their financial constraints.
  • There is growing negativity online towards fitness professionals, reflecting the frustration and challenges faced by those who cannot afford traditional fitness services.

Empathy and Understanding:

  • Demonstrating empathy towards individuals expressing negativity can provide valuable insight into their challenges and tough times, fostering a more supportive environment.
  • Responding with kindness and understanding, even in online comments, can effectively address negativity and offer support to those experiencing difficulties.

Client-Centric Approach in Fitness:

  • Trainers are advised to understand their clients' true desires rather than imposing traditional fitness goals on them, aligning fitness advice with individual client needs rather than industry standards.
  • Emphasizing the importance of tailoring fitness advice to meet the specific needs of clients rather than adhering solely to industry norms and expectations.

Future of Fitness Industry:

  • Observing shifts away from bodybuilding-focused approaches within the industry, indicating an evolving emphasis on evidence-based practices and ethical considerations in fitness promotion.
  • Recognizing an increasing focus on evidence-based strategies and ethical considerations within the industry, suggesting a potential transformation in how fitness is approached and promoted.

Social Media Impact:

  • Expressing concerns about social media platforms promoting extreme behavior for viral fame at the expense of health and well-being, highlighting potential negative consequences associated with this trend.
  • Reflecting on the potential negative impact of social media trends that prioritize engagement over genuine assistance during critical situations, raising awareness about the dangers of seeking fame through extreme actions.