E50: Jake Humphrey - My Grandma's Suicide Saved Me

Mar 5, 2020 53m 2s 12 insights
This episode features TV presenter, journalist, and entrepreneur Jake Humphrey, who discusses his journey from academic failure to success. He shares insights on personal responsibility, overcoming mental health struggles, the challenges of social media, and the shift from personal ambition to lifting others.
Actionable Insights

1. Take 100% Responsibility

Assume total responsibility for every part of your life, even for things not directly your fault. This mindset eliminates excuses and empowers you to actively sort out your own life rather than blaming others.

2. Cultivate a Bias for Action

Don’t wait for perfect timing, motivation, or a ‘secret’ to begin; simply start doing it. Taking action generates motivation and helps you avoid future regret of not pursuing your ideas.

3. Trust Your Instincts and Convictions

Have rock-solid belief in your instincts and act on your convictions, especially in critical decisions. Ignoring your true belief and trying to please others can lead to detrimental outcomes.

4. Shift to Selfless Ambition

As you achieve personal success, find greater fulfillment in lifting others up and improving your immediate environment for everyone. This transition from selfish to selfless ambition can provide a deeper sense of achievement.

5. Prioritize Authenticity

Be genuinely yourself in any role, whether as a CEO or a TV presenter, because trying to play a role or be what you think others expect will ultimately fail. Authenticity is crucial for long-term success and connection.

6. Accept Negative Feelings as a Trick

When experiencing distressing thoughts or overwhelming feelings, accept them as temporary ’tricks’ of the brain rather than reality. Focus on tangible evidence in front of your eyes to diminish their power and move past them.

7. Talk Through Overwhelming Feelings

When facing overwhelming emotions, the simple act of talking and sharing with trusted individuals, like family or a partner, can make a significant positive difference in processing and overcoming them.

8. Equip Children to Handle Failure

Teach your children to fail and provide them with strong ‘roots’ (a secure foundation) so they feel safe to explore and take risks (‘wings’). Shielding kids from failure prevents them from developing the resilience needed for later life challenges.

9. Embrace Early Failures

View early failures, like academic setbacks, not as an end but as unexpected stepping stones that can open doors to unforeseen opportunities and career paths.

10. Be Good and Successful

Challenge the misconception that success and goodness are mutually exclusive; it is entirely possible to be both a good person and highly successful. Strive to embody both qualities in your endeavors.

11. Control Your Media Consumption

Take responsibility for your own actions on social media and the media you consume, rather than blaming others. Be positive online and absorb media that moves the world forward, as your demand fuels the supply of content.

12. Beware Algorithm’s Creativity Trap

Be aware that social media algorithms often incentivize provocative or cliché content for engagement, which can stifle genuine creativity. Prioritize creating what you’re truly proud of over chasing likes or popular trends.