Christmas is a good moment to stop and think about your life and where you are heading. What are you called to do in life? What is your life’s task? And once you figure that out, how do you pursue it?
The one and only Robert Greene sat down with Mark Manson (The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck) on the pod to talk about all of these questions and a whole more. They discuss finding and pursuing one’s life task, the nature and causes of “Peter Pan Syndrome”, science vs timeless wisdom on life, figuring out what do in midlife after you’ve taken the wrong path, and a much more.
Robert Greene is the author of the New York Times bestsellers The 48 Laws of Power, The Art of Seduction, The 33 Strategies of War, The 50th Law, Mastery, The Laws of Human Nature, and most recently of The Daily Laws.
Here’s a summary of key points:
- Popularity and Social Media Influence (00:00-03:17): Robert Greene’s popularity has surged, particularly among Generation Z, thanks to social media. His resurgence can be attributed to chaotic global conditions and changes in upbringing that make younger generations feel lost and confused.
- Insights from «The 48 Laws of Power» (03:17-06:15): Greene’s book offers valuable insights into power dynamics and the darker aspects of human behavior, though he doesn’t view it as cynical, but rather as realistic.
- Life Journey and Early Jobs (04:00-05:07): Greene recounts his early experiences, including working at Esquire Magazine and learning about power games in the workplace, which prepared him for the complexities of the world.
- Creative Struggles and Breakthrough (09:56-12:34): Greene’s love for writing started early, though he faced setbacks, such as failed attempts at writing novels and screenplays. His breakthrough came with The 48 Laws of Power, which he created after meeting a mentor who supported him financially.
- Importance of Following Passion (13:15-14:22): Greene emphasizes the importance of recognizing what truly excites you and stepping away from paths that don’t align with your passions. Perseverance is key, but only if you’re on the right path.
- Handling Negative Feedback (15:00-16:51): Greene discusses how to deal with negative feedback and external pressures, stressing the need for persistence and self-awareness. When you’re connected to your true purpose, challenges become easier to overcome.
- The Role of Intuition in Finding Life’s Purpose (22:00-25:04): Greene advises people to focus on their childhood interests and passions to find their true calling. He underscores that discovering one’s purpose is a subtle, intuitive process, not something driven by logic or external expectations.
- Different Forms of Intelligence (25:22-27:05): He stresses that intelligence isn’t just intellectual. It includes bodily intelligence (e.g., sports or dance) and word intelligence. Understanding your natural inclinations is essential in finding your purpose.
- Continuous Self-Discovery (28:03-29:07): Greene believes that life’s purpose is an evolving journey. People should keep challenging themselves and exploring new areas of growth, as he does with his books, constantly seeking new and diverse topics.
- Reflections on the Peter Pan Syndrome (30:01-35:58): Greene discusses the «Peter Pan Syndrome» and the rise of a generation that struggles with maturity and responsibility, especially in the context of modern distractions like video games. He sees a growing problem among younger people but also notes that many successful individuals have embraced their own version of this «syndrome.»
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