The Rise, The Fall & The Rebuild Of True Geordie

Jul 5, 2021 1h 42m 18 insights
True Geordie (Brian) discusses his journey from a council estate to a YouTube pioneer, detailing his struggles with depression, anxiety, financial hardship, and the lessons learned from public scrutiny, emphasizing vulnerability, ambition, and mental well-being.
Actionable Insights

1. Recognize Dangerous Thought Patterns

Be aware of negative thoughts becoming perceived solutions, such as suicidal ideation, and understand when you are becoming a liability to yourself. This awareness is crucial to seek help before thoughts manifest into dangerous actions.

2. Consider Medication for Depression

If experiencing severe, persistent depression and anxiety, especially when other coping mechanisms fail, consider medication as a viable option. Antidepressants can help rebalance brain chemistry, leading to improved mood, anger management, and communication.

3. Prioritize Mental Health Over Engagement

Do not let online comments or engagement metrics dictate your mental well-being. Disabling comments or filtering feedback can protect your emotional state, allowing you to focus on your work without external negativity.

4. Curate Your Social Circle for Peace

Actively choose to surround yourself only with people who bring peace and reduce stress, especially when turning over a new leaf. Remove individuals who bring drama, aggression, or heap undue pressure onto you.

5. Improve Communication Calmly

When issues arise, sit down and communicate honestly and calmly, explaining what went wrong and suggesting improvements. This approach fosters better relationships and a more relaxed work environment than internalizing anger.

6. Protect Deeply Personal Relationships

Draw a clear line on what personal experiences and relationships you share online, especially those that are precious and intimate. Not everything needs to be public, as once shared, it cannot be taken back and may be exploited.

7. Face Personal Truths Head-On

Confront and process all aspects of yourself, both good and bad, and acknowledge your mistakes. Facing things head-on, even painful truths, is essential for personal growth and finding peace.

8. Accept Parental Imperfections

Come to terms with your parents’ flaws and mistakes, understanding that no family is perfect. Accepting their imperfections is a crucial step towards personal peace and moving forward in life.

9. Heed Life’s Humbling Lessons

View significant setbacks or ‘slaps around the head’ from life as necessary humbling experiences. These moments, though brutal, can serve as powerful catalysts for self-reflection and change.

10. Prioritize Financial Stability in Crisis

During overwhelming personal and financial crises, prioritize securing immediate financial stability. Focus on getting money in the bank to alleviate pressure and create distance from the event before addressing deeper emotional issues.

11. Disarm Critics with Self-Deprecation

When facing public ridicule or shaming, strategically acknowledge and even mock yourself. By laughing it off and showing you’re not frightened, you can bore critics and prompt them to move on.

12. Channel Negative Traits Productively

Identify aggressive or rebellious tendencies and consciously channel them into positive outlets like focus, drive, and ambition. This transforms potential liabilities into powerful assets for success.

13. Seize Opportunities Quickly

Be an opportunistic person who, upon seeing a small opening or viral moment, immediately capitalizes on it and expands its potential. This proactive approach can lead to unexpected growth and success.

14. Cultivate Intrinsic Ambition

Strive to reach a point where your ambition is driven by genuine passion and intrinsic fulfillment, rather than external validation or material gain. This shift occurs when you recognize your inherent self-worth.

15. Maintain High Content Consistency

Commit to a consistent content schedule, even when facing personal challenges or financial pressures. This dedication builds a loyal audience and establishes you as a reliable creator.

16. Focus on Authentic, Quality Content

Invest heavily in the quality and authenticity of your content, paying attention to every detail from production to editing. This commitment to excellence will make your work stand out and be difficult for others to copy.

17. Improve Networking and Packaging

Actively work on networking with key decision-makers and professionally packaging your brand or company. This strategic effort can unlock larger deals and recognition that pure talent alone might not achieve.

18. Engage in Enjoyable Skill Development

Pursue activities and learn new skills for genuine enjoyment and to enhance your professional capabilities. This dedication to personal growth can lead to better performance and deeper understanding in your field.