The Self-Improvement Trap (and how to avoid it)

[@JoeDelaneyy]

Yo fellas/girls, sorry about the hiatus. This video is a little different to the usual, but I'm going to exercise my freedom a little this year and have more fun doing stuff I find interesting. Hope you will come along for the ride. x

[@scorpionvibe4842]

Yo, i actually prefer this kind of videos, its these that got me to know You and not the fitness stuff (although i enjoy it aswell). Cheers

[@bobhouse9331]

Looking forward to part two of this vid. Your authenticity is infectious.

[@poetarchives]

I ordered and read picture of Dorian gray because of one of your videos like this. Please more !

[@michaellederstatter9610]

Love it. Stay authentic. Speak your truth.

[@Frank-yy6ut]

Some of your non-fitness content really hits the mark. Straight talking and thought provoking. Thanks Joe!

[@therapywithsenny1449]

This is gold Joe and we absolutely need part 2

[@Luke_Grenoble]

agreed

[@to17900]

++

[@velocirapthomas]

Yes, please.

[@briancurtin1466]

💯

[@alextang5268]

Agreed

[@aMuffingaming]

Joe is literally the only fitness influencer I have ever resonated with and I think it’s because he doesn’t want me to

[@MrFredstt]

Yeah. He's just a dude in front of a camera. No act or anything. Notice he doesn't even censor his videos like most influencers do to maximize profits and monetization. Joe seems to do this bc he genuinely likes doing it first and foremost

[@agonsfitness7308]

Why did I read this comment in Joe's deadpan voice?

[@vasilisblazos8994]

I met Joe briefly once at the mall and he seemed so down to Earth. That's why Joey D is my hero.

[@JoeBeats8781]

@@vasilisblazos8994if u aren’t kidding then you must be the luckiest person on Earth

[@vasilisblazos8994]

@@JoeBeats8781 nah fr, I met him and his wife and took a pic haha. He lives in the same city as me so just chance really.

[@35PHaaton]

My self improvement tip for anyone out there: Have good friends and family members around you, let people into your life, don't take life so seriously, stay healthy and eat right, go find love, enjoy the boring moments in life, and lastly keep everything simple and in moderation. Goodluck to you and I wish you the best.

[@RelaxAndSmokeMeth]

will love just find you?

[@TheGreektrojan]

@@RelaxAndSmokeMeth Nah, you got to invite it in but it'll happen if you cast a wide net and stay open. Trying to min/max relationships and love is how you fall down the blackpill incel rabbit hole of bitterness. Like Joe said, people dance around the akwardness of building relationships and the pain of rejection but its not that bad and you'd be surprised how much actually doing the things pays off. I am a true top 1% introvert but Joe is correct that the glorification of solitude is mostly a trap to convince lonely people that not trying/waiting is the noble thing, not a justification of their fears.

[@JulianJamesProd.]

Ur a wise man, it sounds simple yet very few people understand this is the recipe for a happy life

[@JulianJamesProd.]

@@DA-og5pj Thats where you are wrong though. I hope you can think critically. Your mindset will ONLY make you want more and more, you'll never be satisfied. I never said i want to be average because the average person is very unhealthy with poor relationships. I want succes, for me that is not the equivalent of status and LOTs of money. Succes is being very good and disciplined at what i love doing and being fit with good people around me. Your definition of a "great man" is childish and that's fine. Not everyone can look past fame and money

[@theparkworkoutguy]

I like your point about moderation. Self-improvement KZbinrs like Hamza constantly preach about working all day, which isn't always healthy

[@helpfulcommenter]

Becoming a father is a significant shift from "What I can I get from it" to "What can I give" and without ever mentioning being a dad, you nailed it.

[@MrFredstt]

I myself have no children but I'm assuming this is something that's almost impossible to truly understand until you're a parent yourself

[@ph318]

You should enter all relationships with the mindset of giving.

[@brewersloss]

“Most people know what they need to do to improve themselves or their lives. Self improvement is just a dance they do, while they’re psyching themselves up to do it” This hit me hard. I’ve actually pretty much mastered all the routines, hacks, disciplines, lists and lifestyles. All without really tackling a couple of really big issues I should’ve addressed years ago. Indulge in self improvement by all means. Just don’t let it become another form of procrastination.

[@jamescoleman4319]

Yeah this resonated with me a lot too 💪🏼 I’m guilty of this.

[@blackbriarmead1966]

For me It’s helped me realize what exactly the problems are. It’s a form a soul searching, but I prefer people like dr k. Maybe that’s not self help. But it helped me realize I shouldn’t drink so much, and maybe I should stop using weed at 21. And I’ve done those things. Now I’m trying to figure out how to make my job easier by figuring out how to sustainably keep myself healthy and mentally sharp. I’m hoping that within a year I’ll have figured that stuff out. But I’m afraid I’ll get stuck in a cycle of being placed under lots of stress and losing whatever progress I made. So I have a certain determination to actually change, but who tf knows how I will feel after being stressed for a long time

[@matthewlee9652]

The part about self-improvement being a form a procrastination from the thing that actually needs done is absolutely spot on. I used to be stuck in a trap of trying to optimise every little detail to the point where it took so long to actually start doing the important task at hand. This is the kind of video that many people need

[@BrandonTalksFitness]

I’m so happy you made this video. We’ve lost the art of simply living and enjoying life.

[@markhill8150]

Bang on.

[@CPSFC]

This x1000. Probs explains why a lot of self improvement guys / girls never truly look happy. Cos they've replaced joy with 'whats optimal'

[@BrandonTalksFitness]

@@CPSFC yep. I think most of us go through that phase when we’re young and feel lost/confused. But over time you realize that doing things you genuinely enjoy is the best way forward

[@MrFredstt]

@@BrandonTalksFitness Yep. Some people are too focused on what's the most productive, beneficial, or optimal thing when sometimes you should just chill out and do whatever you wanna do simply bc it's enjoyable

[@CPSFC]

@@BrandonTalksFitness 100% Its like they need a positive reason to do anything. Enjoy a movie with your wife / girlfriend? nah, only if its a masculinity movie that moves me forward I think once you start learning from the 'happiest' people it helps a lot!

[@SummerLangereis]

Spot on Joe. I used to do some of the popular self improved things. “Doing nothing” was not worth my time. Every walk had to be atleast x steps long, I had to listen to educational podcast, I had to write down my goals, what I was grateful for, thing I did well and things I could improve on. I couldn’t just watch a movie or show for fun. Fun wasn’t useful. I had to learn, I had to grow. It burned me out. What I did instead: some therapy to help me deal with trauma I was not addressing by distracting myself with fluff, learning that ‘doing’ nothing is very useful (fun movies are fun), being alone with my own thoughts instead of dimming them with another 2 hour podcast I can’t even recall now, enjoying a walk for what it is, not using it at a vessel for useful stuff, switching to firm where unpaid extra hours aren’t glorified, spending more time with friends an family instead of being alone reaching my “goals”.

[@systemizesuccess]

☝️This 👍

[@Stracciulein]

"Fun wasn’t useful. I had to learn, I had to grow. It burned me out" man I swear I was in the same exact boat. For the longest time I thought that was the right path to follow, but then I realized that I wasn't going anywhere because there isn't really and end to that path. It's infinite. So the hard part was trying to realize that I have already everything that I needed, the "constantly searching" thing was really not necessary for my own self, or maybe it was some kind of coping mechanism. The trick is to have the courage to let everything go.

[@kamilrosinski2042]

Self improvement is just dancing around the thing you know you need to do. I loved that, it’s so true in most cases. Part 2 pls.

[@ColossalKiwi]

What a breath of fresh air. A part 2 would be more than welcome, in your own time.

[@ihateweetabix8829]

Most of my “self improvement” has come from literally just living life. It gets confusing when you make self improvement your personality

[@readsomebooks4506]

Just say you're soft

[@ihateweetabix8829]

@@readsomebooks4506 Hope i didn't hit a nerve readsomebooks 😆

[@Invictus4318]

@@readsomebooks4506Soz ‘ard Goggins

[@marvin2678]

why does it get confusing ?

[@JoeBeats8781]

@@readsomebooks4506dude this guy is spitting facts he’s learning from his mistakes in life I think that makes him mature and smart not soft

[@Joseph-im8be]

Phenomenal post mate! People are starting to realise this. I’m a self improvement junkie as much as the next person, trying to optimise my life where I can. But I think much of it is a trap, the more self improvement you do, the more deficient you think you are. There’s always something missing. I heard an idea recently which is ‘self unfoldment’. It might sounds like another buzzword, but the idea is that you already have all the potential in the world, you’re just in the process of letting more of it out. Less forcing cookie cutter habit building, more following what you actually find fun, invigorating, enjoyable etc.

[@nicolasguillenc]

“The more self improvement you do, the more deficient you think you are” thanks for sharing that man. I think that’s how I’m feeling, having that thought for a long period of time can really make you see yourself like a looser and then act as a looser. I’m trying to get out of it.

[@yittheyak8402]

Make a part 2 Joe. And more videos like this. You’re clearly an intelligent guy and especially linguistically talented. You have the thoughts we all have but illustrate them in a way most of us cannot. Best of luck with fatherhood and the rest of your life in general. You make a great dad

[@blablabik1]

i cant just like this comment, i have to say its great freaking comment

[@DC-no3vi]

One of the best videos I watched in a while. I hate how this self improvement bs is forced down everyones throats nowdays, convincing you that your life is shit when it's actually quite normal and good and trying to make you feel like you're not enough. Selling you silly routines and habbits thats ultimately just distract you from your actual goals. I'm hoping for pt.2 and honestly more videos like this. You can only make so many fitness videos but you definitely have more wisdom to share in other areas of life.

[@simontaylor2525]

I had a feeling that we had reached peak bullshit, and usually if you're feeling something everyone else is too. Concisely and eloquently expressed by this chap, top lad.

[@eny661]

My god, dude, you put it into words. Thank you for sharing all this with us. A line of thought: Self Improvement can not only be a dance but a distraction and an escape from a life or a reality that feels lacking in some way. I think people tend to turn to this extremely rigid form of self - Improvement because of an underlying anxiety of them or their lives never feeling good enough and are then sold a performative and often empty version of self improvement that promises the relief of these anxieties through reaching a state of perfection and productivity in everything they do, be it oh so small as making your bed in the morning. It‘s the idea of total control over who you are and who you become. At the same time, it puts a constant focus on everything that you‘re not already, that you‘re still lacking. This further fuels your anxieties, ultimately trapping you in an endless cycle of „there’s something wrong with me“ and „let me fix it“. And the moral high ground of improving yourself easily blinds you to the reality that a, that’s hardly what you’re actually doing, and b, you might actually be pretty okay the way you are.

[@charlesjohnson8106]

"that doesn't make you a discipline ninja, just an adult" -- beautiful.

[@edge3220]

Huge lack of that these days.

[@mikefarah8162]

You can tell he really spends time in meditation. What he's speaking about is self-awareness and being present, not fixating on the future or losing yourself to what other people think. But seeing your stream of consciousness for what it is. An illusion. And being liberated by living in the now. Not in the tomorrow or yesterday. LOVE THIS CONTENT JOE!!

[@P3ND3M]

I don’t think this could have been articulated any better. Please do a part 2, I simply love your thought processes and the way you dissect these types of subjects, which quite frankly I have never even thought of or cared about, but you have a way of bringing interest to it in a way I can’t explain. And this is why, Joe Delaney, you are OUR hero

[@nelsonhoffman5922]

0:56 Couldn't agree more, mate. Every bit of this video resonated with me . SO glad you finally said what I think so many of us are actually thinking. Part 2 Please. This is peak JoeyD

[@M_is_lost]

Awesome video Joe! I was down the rabbit hole of (self)hatred for a long time, distrusting everything and everyone. Seemingly the only thing that got me out of it were the people who told me to be myself and do what matters to me. Learn to think for yourself and be sceptical about what you hear from others, but don't be cynical. I love your work, it's amazing.

[@Sevacia]

i’m so grateful for this vid cuz it’s so real. i remember being depressed and low self esteem and just watching tons of self improvement videos without ever thinking about my problems with my own perspective. it feels very unnatural to live this way and you’re never really present in the moment when you fall into this trap and make what these self improvement gurus tell you such a big part of your life. life as a kid is so great when you’re just living and enjoying life for what it is rather than living life based on someone else’s terms doing stressing over trying to grow all the time. stop getting wrapped up in improving and enjoy life

[@cryptokingz615]

Great perspective Joe. After about 15 years enjoying seminars/books in the self development space i'm coming to a similar conclusion particularly on Social Media that the point seems to be missed. As much as selfish goals are important especially to build a solid foundation i keep coming back to the fact that real fulfillment is found in the question "What can i give" instead of "What can i gain". In a genre filled with empty bragging particularly about superficial items this is a breath of fresh air mate.

[@drrukhtaz7969]

Most straight forward and on point content

[@JC-ik9zz]

Production value of this is insane, Joey D! I have loved watching your philosophical takes and outlook on life for the past 10 years (albeit some of that philosophy originally centred on pancakes and fingering in the early days). Think you would do some serious damage on the Modern Wisdom podcast with your original thoughts and often contrarian viewpoint.

[@LewisHorsley]

Agree

[@fredesl406]

Solid video Joe. "It's not the thing, its the place its coming from". Nothing you seek externally will ever fill the void you feel inside of you. The state of happiness/abundance comes from within the mind, its about realizing that you are already whole and no external pursuit will make you complete. Its not about doing, its about undoing the thoughts that make you believe you're not already complete. Everyone keeps chasing and chasing external things in the hope that one day they'll feel content, but even when they get what they want, sure they get a high out of it for some time but it never lasts. Nothing you pursue externally is ever going to make you happy permanently (dopamine isnt infinite). The real gold comes from looking within yourself, asking yourself why you fear certain situations (introspection) and coupling that with mindfulness meditation. There are so many pitfalls with this, its hard to do right but its the key and its the only key there ever was. The mind is what generates your entire experience of the world, your perception of the world (good or bad) at any moment dictates how you feel, so of course if you seek Happiness (capital H for the state of mind, not the emotion/dopamine release) it has to come from within. A lot of poor people are some of the Happiest people in the world - it comes from their internal state of mind. You can go so far with this. Just look at the monk in vietnam who self imolated in protest against the vietnam war - he did not flinch or scream once. That's because he changed his entire perception on pain (pain is not a negative thing, its just sensations you feel on your skin nothing else). I'm just making this extreme example to show how powerful mindfulness meditation + introspection is (that is how he got there). Of course some pain is necessary for survival and these should not be let go of, but a lot of fears people have generate the same survival instinct fear response as physical pain and those are the ones to let go of. I know this probably sounds so absurd to some of you but yeah... if you want a permanent abundant state of mind look within and neutralize the perception you have of certain negative emotions by asking yourself why it's so bad, getting to the root cause of why theyre so bad and then letting go of the associated sensations through mindfulness meditation. This stuff is so powerful.

[@projectstoicism]

One of the quotes in Stoicism from Seneca about friends that I like: “If you are looking on anyone as a friend when you do not trust him as you trust yourself, you are making a grave mistake, and have failed to grasp sufficiently the full force of true friendship.” This is why I like Stoicism so much, as it focuses on human interaction and that friendship is something beautiful and imperative in our lives. If we have a friend, we should "speak as unreservedly with him as we do with ourselves"

[@tombraselton2671]

Hey again, Joe. I’ve known about you for some time but just now started watching some of your videos. I really like your views on things as they match mine very closely. For example, the doing things to enjoy them and stop worrying about benefits and such. Just smell the flowers on the walks. Feel the breeze. Enjoy the sounds of kids playing in the park. Keep up the great work!

[@ralphbrieze7873]

Been following you for a while, obviously your gym videos got me here but im definitely interested in your way of seeing things not only in regards to the gym but life in overall. Really enjoyed this video. I take you as a knowledgeable, straightforward, no BS content creator. You can make whatever content you want id still be up for checking it out just because of your personality and the value you add. Thanks man🙏

[@tecmow4399]

Totally agree. It’s often pathological, it’s addictive and it’s a form of procrastination. It makes people think that if someone’s circumstances are bad that it’s because of some “mistake” or “the wrong mindset” when at its worst.

[@elliotjamesrattner3632]

Amen. The "hustle culture" and " productivity culture" that have been drilled into society has actually detracted from my life so much. It absorbed so much of my time and effort that even when I hit my big goals and found myself having the ideal life for myself, I still felt like I wasn't good enough, and wasn't able to be grateful for all that I have because I kept feeling like I wasn't "there" yet. I'm not saying that I am complacent and not trying to improve myself in ways I know I should (learning, growing, introspection), but my life is good, and I want to be able to enjoy that even if it doesn't look like Huberman's ideal routine, haha.

[@eddiehillier-sg2zs]

Pls part 2! I needed this video a while ago. I was just procrastinating on my work by consuming self improvement content. Learning about the health benefits of walking, whilst sitting on my ass in front of a computer everyday.

[@manavsharma869]

Please please please make more content like this. This is such a good video and your outlook on life is something that I think loads of people will appreciate.

[@Thenoobity1]

Love the practical thinking in this video. In a world full of distraction it’s like a breath of fresh air. All I have ever achieved has came from actual practicality. I do worry a lot, however I remind myself of ‘the only thing to fear is fear itself’ and to control what I can (which is here and now) and let go of the rest. Definitely need a part 2 Joe 😎👍🏼

[@MatrixEvolution17]

I'm glad this video exists. A lot of self-improvement content online isn't really about self-improvement, it's more about promoting circlejerking attitudes. People become too absorbed in the idea of reaping personal gain from every activity they do that they forget the basic human joy of just doing something for the sake of it, or just being nice to people for the simple sake of being nice. idk lol

[@themalcolmking]

I actually always love when you have these meta videos. You often have quality things to share and I never feel like I waste my time watching your channel. Thanks man. And congrats again to you and the Mags on your nuptials and baby Cassius. ❤

[@catche85]

This is such a great video, and very much something that needs to be talked about. Too often people push their own goals (legit or otherwise) onto other people. I was asked several times about my 2024 goals. I have a few things on my list, mostly just to remember what I need/want to do so it's not always "too late" when the opportunity comes up (e.g. booking a weekend away when there is a long weekend, hard to do last minute!). But I had several people I know who are into trading, say "any financial goals?" somewhat disdainfully, as if my life was somehow lacking because I didn't have a more ambitious goal of self and financial improvement and rather just wanted to visit more farmers markets and perfect my sourdough. This attitude is part of the self-improvement trap - there is no one set of "ideal" goals, or an ideal state. If money isn't important to you, you don't need financial goals. If losing weight isn't important to you, that doesn't need to be a goal. You can just live, and do what you want to do each day. And living can mean improving, but we don't always need to be putting up a goalpost and moving it constantly. You CAN just be "better" without even needing to talk about it, bullet journal it, write it on a whiteboard or anything else.

[@haydnmcdonnell2397]

Thank you for this, border-line life changing stuff here. I rewatched the section from 5:00 - 5:20 at least 10 times, quite profane.

[@geeboss]

Absolutely spot on with this. I reckon some people spend more time consuming self-improvement media than actually trying to self-improve, even I'm guilty of that in the past.

[@LeRoskal]

It's the first video of you that I'm watching and wow, it was super interesting and deep, thanks for the reflection on this topic !

[@danielgonzalezarbelo8481]

I have thought a lot about this topic, and I can tell you this is one of the best and most important videos I have seen in a long while. I hope a lot of people get to see it. Looking forward to seeing a second part, this really resonated with me

[@iGiantCookie]

Your videos ground me. Thank you. I always liked the philosophical Joe the best. We all try to make sense of the world.

[@KajalPatel-ot2tb]

Love this! It's so easy to fall into the trap of so many self-improvement behaviors that don't really seem to help and just take up so much time

[@thatguyoverther6019]

The third one is so true. So much of self improvement advice is just menial tasks to try and "build discipline" while avoiding the shit you actually need to do. Never really heard it verbalised before but it makes so much sense now that you said it

[@modermantw]

As someone who has been doing “self-improvement” I do agree. Sometimes I do something purely because of its health benefits. Guilty of letting it become part of my personality at points and not being content with where I’m at. However, there are some major benefits. It makes you aware of your downfalls and improving on these, or at least being aware of them, is always a good thing. It’s helped me to become a better person, to the benefit of my friends and family. Plus mental health has never been in a better place.

[@ahsanansari92]

This is the kind of reminder which I needed at this moment. Waiting for part 2...!!!

[@thomasverheul9331]

Yo Joe, I rarely comment but my finger tops are tingling faster than my neurons are when hearing the word 'self-help'. You nailed it 100% with the toxic side of it. Please make a part two and let your creativity be present in 2024. This actually increases the amount of brainsells I got.

[@1783W]

I am glad that Joe values informing people more than being clickbaity and chasing content trends. It's so easy to get caught up in numbers but Joe's channel stays refreshing and genuine.

[@xMilford]

This video has genuinely made me want to change my life for the better and actually do it this time. The part where you mention about doing things to sike ourself up to do what we ACTUALLY want to do has resonated with me more than anything I’ve consumed before. Do that thing that you’re dancing around.

[@bennrangphet7590]

I miss old vids like this, this is fantastic.

[@jacobroller6539]

Love this, would love to see a part 2! Thank you for being such a chill and grounded dude. Presence and Direction > Militant Effort Towards Goals

[@Samsaraindo]

Amazing video, I love Joey D. One thing to note is self improvement as an industry doesn't always work. We are unique, and often, you gotta find a paradigm that works for you specifically. All these off the shelf "routines" never worked for me...instead I gradually and naturally put together actions that helped me maximize life.

[@ehsan6744]

This is hands down your greatest video to date. Well done. Very profound

[@Someguy151]

Damn Joey D making serious brain gains 🧠, But seriously, please make a part 2 the points you raised in this video came across really authentic, and as if you’ve been mulling over them for some time before sharing, The point about going on a walk, because it’s good for you instead of enjoying the walk itself was such a good point (also kind of refreshing when compared against the sea of content urging you to wake up before sunrise, take a cold plunge, get some sunlight, down the ag1, eat some liver and go for a 5k all before 7am) But also, the fact that you cut the argument by saying there isn’t anything wrong with the above habits if they stem from legitimate interest as opposed to being forced, really gives a well-balanced view of the topic. I’d be really interested in a part 2 to this topic, providing you come at it with the same well thought out approach, If not, this video alone does a pretty good job and making people (me included) reflect on their habits/goals/motivations Thanks Joey D ❤

[@eddadawg]

gonna need that part 2. This is giving natty high vibes... love it

[@marcobecerra1977]

“It’s the thing.” YES. YES. YES. Just doing things, following curiosity, and thinking for yourself will give you lessons.

[@mr_wright_official_]

This is the video everyone needs to see, i see so many of my friends jumping on these bandwagons of extremities, and people thinking they have to choose between 2 sides of extreme, when everything is on a spectrum and you need to find a balance to keep you consistent while avoiding burnouts & fvcking LIVING life not just being alive.

[@berturtle2036]

WE NEED PART 2 JOE DELANEY IS MY HERO 🗣️🗣️🔥🔥🥶💯🚨🚨‼️

[@reacon8450]

Great video - agree with the notion that not everything has to be "productive", I fell into this trap, but recently I've started deliberately "doing something unproductive" (watching a film, hour on the PS5, sit in my armchair listening to music etc) and feel MUCH better for it.

[@e-genieclimatique]

in brief: The video discusses several issues with modern self-improvement culture. 1. **Critique of Self-Improvement Culture:** Delaney questions the culture, mentality, and methods of contemporary self-improvement, suggesting that much of it serves commercial interests rather than genuine self-betterment. 2. **Problem with Personal Gain Focus:** He criticizes the emphasis on personal gain in self-improvement, arguing that viewing relationships and activities solely through the lens of personal benefit can be detrimental and lead to a perpetual state of wanting. 3. **Industries Posing as Helpful:** Delaney warns against self-improvement industries that disguise their true motives, ranging from helpful intentions to exploitative practices. He advises due diligence and skepticism when spending money on self-improvement products or services. 4. **Ceremonial and Indirect Approaches:** The video highlights the indirect nature of many self-improvement practices, questioning the need for overly complex routines and activities that may not directly contribute to personal growth. 5. **Glorification of Solitude:** He critiques the trend of glorifying solitude and small social circles in self-improvement, arguing that it shouldn't be confused with genuine self-betterment. 6. **Encouragement to Proceed with Caution:** Delaney encourages viewers to approach self-improvement with caution and skepticism, recognizing that while it can be transformative, it also has pitfalls and traps. 7. **Rational Perspective on Self-Improvement:** He suggests adopting a rational perspective, learning from a diverse range of sources, and being wary of overly simplistic or commercialized advice. Overall, the video presents a critical and nuanced view of self-improvement, advocating for a more balanced and skeptical approach to personal development.gpt4

[@MartinoNotts]

8:00 - 'it's all just a dance around psyching ourselves up for doing the thing...' - Right on. Do the thing. Or don't.

[@alexglynn9107]

The amount of value in this video is truly impressive. Well done Sir. Well done

[@alexglynn9107]

@RealJoeDelaney No problem brother. Keep doing you man. It is working

[@claysmith8840]

Dude your film-making has seriously gotten so beautiful, big ups to the time you spent editing this together, it looks awesome

[@Eric-xk8cp]

It's a quality video and I think a discussion of self improvement and the self-improvement industry (not the same thing) can be really important for a lot of people who might be struggling to find their mission, appropriate goals, motivation, and/or feeling of self-worth. Everyone finds themselves in places like that sometimes and whenever you're in those places, it can be dangerous for so many reasons. A lot of self-improvement ideas essentially revolve around a "productivity" narrative. I think this is harmful to so many people because they start to see life as a means to an end rather than an end in itself. I also love the point about "you know what you really want to do." I think that also applies to daily things, like really you want to do whatever big project inspires you but it's just hard and forces you to confront many problems so you distract yourself with smaller "completable" tasks rather than making your PRIMARY goal a priority and working other life activities AROUND your primary goal(s). Like I'd often organize my house and do meal prep and exercise and at the end of the day I'd say "Oh I did a lot today so I can work on writing the book tomorrow." I bet a lot of people do something similar with self-improvement like "I'll do life goal X once I learn Y technique to motivate myself and Z technique make myself more productive" but really you'd likely be better off just attacking life goal X head on.

[@jackedMT]

Great video. So true about already knowing what we need do. So sick of all the adverts on Insta for groups and courses. Plenty of jacked successful people don’t wake up at 5am for fasted cardio and an ice bath.

[@Staroy]

This is the content of evolved Joe is my hero^2. We are all here for it mate!

[@n_-_-]

The cinematography/production of this video is TOP OF THE LINE!!!

[@mishasakhnov6410]

nice video lad, as my dad always told me anything comes in excessive amount is not probably the best for you. I Liked your statement that many people already know the exact solution to most of their problems and they kinnda enjoy the thought that they do easy thing around the hard thing go about "I'm going toward my goal" without doing the challenging thing that moves them ahead in life. in my opinion we tend to forget that self-improvement is a tool , a means to a goal and not the goal itself. thanks again hope to see part 2

[@Pointmikecalibre]

FINALLY! About time someone on this platform actually talked truth. You and James Smith are only two I've seen being so damn honest.

[@aussie1kid]

Such a well done video Joe - really liked your point when everything is seen through the lens of ‘improvement’, to the point where the most mundane things, ie a walk, must also provide a benefit above and benefit the act itself.

[@jamesweeks2373]

My virtual big bro that doesn’t know I exist comes in to drop timely advice without fail. Appreciate you very much mate

[@bennywood5196]

yeah very refreshing point of view, would love a part II.

[@TheGoldiniac]

One of the best videos you've made

[@13test13]

Part two please. This is so good. It’s unique in a sea of non-unique. Keep going with this Joe.

[@ivychan3081]

Honestly the most straight talking influencer out there!! Loving your vlog posts too!

[@EdJonesOfficial]

Not one to ever comment on videos, but this came up on my recommended and god I'm glad I clicked on it. Joe, your take on this is both honest and refreshing. I connected to a lot you said and has given loads of food for thought. Bring on part 2! Thank you brother.

[@itchyguy123]

I love your videos they aren’t just the same reused motivational and self improvement content everyone else puts out. You actually have a unique and genuine prospective. I appreciate you mate!

[@mahatmaandhii]

This is genuinely a great take on the current state of ‘self improvement’. It’s so easy to get sucked in to thinking you’re smashing it at developing yourself when really you’re just dodging what you really need to do. I hadn’t even realised I’d fallen into this trap until I watched this. I think there’s a balance to be had with everything. There is some amazing self improvement advice out there from guys like huberman. But it can also become an obsession. Ironically i think there’s a point when self improvement can actually make you a worse person. I still haven’t found a situation where the saying ‘everything in moderation’ doesn’t apply.

[@CPSFC]

The turning point for me was when guys said to stop listening to music as it had no purpose Enjoyment isn't enough of a reason to do something anymore

[@him050]

It’s like people who constantly read books about organising their lives, instead of actually organising their lives.

[@alexostertag]

Would love a part 2 hard to find someone so real on self improvement KZbin

[@leemackay]

Joey D is the only guru I follow, jumped on the PB bagel life last year and never looked back Amazing vid lad

[@mylearningaccount1]

Love how down-to-earth and intelligent this video is mate, subbed and looking forward to more impartial honest analysis content :) - I'm in a very similar position to you, age, fitness, stage of life, earnings (at a guess) and young fatherhood so your mindset resonates with me on another level.

[@DJ-TimeShift]

Joe ascended to sage levels. Amazing video and definitely something i needed to watch. I fell into alot of these traps and i still do sometimes. Thanks for the heads up! Great content.

[@felixveja8154]

Your video about 'for people who worry alot' is excellent, and probably the best 'self improvement' type video iv ever seen (and iv read alot on this topic) - it's outstanding.

[@thisismayank03]

This is fantastic Joe, would really appreciate the part 2.

[@hej1471]

This is so real bro I know a lot of people that've fallen into that whole thing and sabotaged relationships due to it, also love the design editing styles for this video

[@Tommy24552]

Man your cinematography just get's better and better! Love your style.

[@therealheliolisk]

very good points were made in this video, I have NOT heard others in the same field talk about it. Idk gatekeeping or what, but yeah, it isn't all about self-gain. It is about serving/helping others, the community etc that makes an individual better, healthier, calmer and more successful (and richer).

[@coleyx18]

Brilliant video Joe! Glad to see someone talking about this. Finding it sad to see so many people worried about optimising their success rather than "optimising" their happiness/relationships/enjoyment of hobbies. The walking example is a great one. Another one that comes to mind is reading - I hear so many people now that wont read fiction because its not "useful". 1. Fiction can teach you little life lessons and make you think about/appreciate different things. 2. Its fun? Isn't that surely the best reason to do anything in life. Cracking work and hope life with the little one is amazing 😄

[@rosheimd2339]

I’ve always appreciated the way this guy talks

[@JulianJamesProd.]

You've said what i've been thinking for a long time, thank you for this video. Hope there will be many parts to come

[@nicolasguillenc]

“The walk is the benefit” 100% man 😂 I think self improvement social media makes things harder than they need to be because we see habits through aesthetics, for example: - Running aesthetic - Cooking aesthetic - Productivity - Faith… And that makes us think that someone’s life is all about that one thing! So it seems more time consuming and harder than it actually is. Do you know who works every day, spends time with his family, goes to church, and helps in the house? MY GRANDPA, and trust me, that man does not have an aesthetic, he just gets up and does s*** because that’s what he knows! People who watch self improvement content can digest it in a bad way and start judging people negatively because of the already messed up content they are watching. Sure it may help you be more motivated at times, and get out of a bad place, but if you go into that hole, you will create habits that just don’t make you a happy healthy person. Great video Joe!

[@Ultraw]

4:14 I love this part. I hope this completely changes how I feel about reading/walking/stretching and so many more things in my life Much love joey d 👊

[@ryaneaton2679]

The only KZbinr I tend to watch from start to finish these days

[@Rajbruv_8]

Most People already know ! You got me there ! We are just not doing it . Maybe we are doing too much . Thanks for this 🙌🏽

[@Stoic-poker]

Absolute golden video I couldn’t agree more

[@darren_mcgarvey]

We truly help ourselves when we help others. Only then do we get true freedom from self. Yes, we all have a drive to improve, to attain prosperity and to gain status in some way, but as you clearly already understand Joe, given your success so far in life, material gain and fleeting gratification don't do the job. Many of the posterchildren of hustle culture are, themselves, trapped in the endless pursuit of more. They have everything a person could want and yet they still seem restless, agitated and dissatisfied. I'm happiest when I'm at home with my family. When I read to my kids. Yes, sometimes the responsibility from which I derive a true sense of meaning, purpose and contentment is a drag - I'm a selfish person - but I push myself to do those things because I know that's when I'm really living. Thank you for your amazing content over the years.

[@tayjamessmith]

Joe has had that new-father transformation, liberation & whole new perspective on life, that not everyone can see without being a father. Love it, Joe. A whole other level of view point on today’s issues in society, that people need to allow into their lives.

[@jususustin779]

easily one of the most genuine dudes out there