Summary
Highlights
The video introduces Jay Yang, author of "You Can Just Do Things," highlighting his achievements before college, including building a large social media following and working with Noah Kagan. He emphasizes creating opportunities without waiting for permission and shares his decision to drop out of college to work with Alex and Leila Hormozi.
Jay explains that a permissionless approach means not needing approval to pursue goals. He credits Jack Butcher's 'Permissionless Apprentice' course for inspiring him to do upfront work. This involves demonstrating skills and value before asking for opportunities, rather than expecting a response or putting the burden on the other person to figure out your capabilities.
Jay details how he landed a job with Noah Kagan. Inspired by Jeremy Mary, he cold-emailed Tyler Denk at Beehive, which led to an internship. Later, Jeremy mentioned Noah Kagan was seeking someone to grow his newsletter. Jay spent 50 hours creating a 19-slide pitch deck deconstructing Noah's content and a few ready-to-publish pieces, demonstrating his expertise and proactive approach.
The conversation shifts to college. Jay initially decided to attend to experience it and avoid regret. After nearly a year, he found it fun for social reasons but realized he was dropping out to work with acquisition.com, emphasizing that he gained more outside of classes and values the experience of trying it out.
Jay discusses balancing ambition with enjoyment. He believes his work has never felt like a grind because he genuinely loves what he does. He differentiates between hedonic pleasure (short-term) and eudaimonia (long-term fulfillment), advocating for work that, while sometimes difficult, feels worthwhile in the long run.
Jay outlines three tests to identify one's obsession: the 'P test' (what makes you lose track of time), the 'midnight test' (what keeps you up working without external pressure), and the 'boredom test' (what you find engaging that others find boring). He encourages reflection on what truly interests you, as this leads to natural improvement and increasing enjoyment.
Jay addresses the challenge of knowing when to persevere versus when to pivot. He suggests that projects should align with one's ultimate 'north star' goal. If a project doesn't align, it's not quitting but pivoting towards a more relevant path. He emphasizes internal metrics for success, like getting better with each attempt, rather than solely focusing on external validation.
Jay provides a four-step framework for filtering ideas and opportunities: 1. Define your north star (what you want from life/career). 2. Identify what you need to learn (skills, beliefs, traits). 3. Connect with those living the life you desire. 4. Make it a 'no-brainer' for others to work with you by doing upfront work and showcasing your thinking.
Jay acknowledges that his youth might make his advice seem inapplicable to older individuals. He posits that the process is the same: reflect on what you truly want (not what others expect), and take tiny, consistent actions. He emphasizes the power of small, compounded decisions over time, noting that acknowledging limitations and thriving within them is key.
Jay discusses parental and societal pressures. He suggests showing evidence rather than just telling parents about unconventional career paths. He cites Alex Hormozi's decision to choose his own dreams over his father's expectations, highlighting that making your dreams a reality can ultimately gain parental acceptance by proving security and happiness.
Jay encourages listeners to actively pursue what they want, even if it’s scary. He uses the mantra 'no half measures' and suggests asking, 'which path makes for the better story?' He advocates for embracing challenges as opportunities for growth and wisdom, reframing difficult experiences as future autobiographical chapters that can inspire others.
He highlights the illusion of success seen online, where people only share wins. He stresses the importance of a small, trusted circle of friends to share struggles and offer genuine support, contrasting this with the often transactional nature of 'networking.' He refers to this as the 'golden circle of relationships,' including mentors, peers, and those you can teach.
Jay emphasizes generosity, viewing every kind act as 'planting seeds' for future relationships. He avoids transactional networking, opting instead for genuine, value-forward connections. He notes that successful individuals often collaborate rather than compete, fostering an environment where everyone can win and be inspired by each other's achievements.
Jay addresses imposter syndrome, noting that even highly successful people experience it. He personally combats it by seeing himself as a guide, not a guru. He finds solace in the idea that 'what is obvious to you is amazing to others' and recontextualizes the discomfort of growth as 'liminal tension,' a natural part of pushing one's boundaries.
Jay discusses the fear of success, which stems from the belief that 'the higher you go, the higher the fall.' His strategy is to choose to try rather than not trying at all, preferring to experience success and potentially realize it's not what he wanted, over never knowing. He recognizes that even if everything is lost, his acquired skills, network, and reputation mean he can rebuild.
Jay shares his personal equation for sustained drive: a 'superiority complex + crippling anxiety + love of the game.' The superiority complex fuels courage, the anxiety provides the drive to avoid inadequacy, and the 'love of the game' ensures he enjoys the challenging process. He emphasizes finding 'the torture you're worth suffering for.'
Jay concludes with the core message of his book: 'You can just do things.' He uses the analogy of a door: many people assume it's locked and never try the handle. What separates successful people is the courage to 'try the handle,' often finding the door unlocked. He encourages listeners to find him online and check out his book.