You don’t need work-life balance when you’re young

[@notactuallytaylor]

I agree that it makes sense to spend several years working pretty hard to learn more and set yourself up for success. However, 2 points need to be kept in mind: a) there's no guarantee of a future, there does need to be some kind of balance of long term and short term b) you’re only young once, most older individuals would trade their wealth to be young again and experience life as a young person, youth is an asset that needs to be appreciated. Therefore, I think it's ideal to work hard for something that you care about (less opportunity cost) and where you learn a lot. And yet there still needs to be some kind of balance where you let loose, say yes to social opportunities and create experiences you'll enjoy looking back at when you're old.

[@daria.746]

Totally agree. I’ve heard lots of people say they should’ve spent more time on traveling or being with their children. Only very few regretted not working enough when being young. I like you’re approach of balance 👍

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

That’s a fair point, definitely!

[@idozak8650]

Thank you for this. As an 18 year old, the past 6 months I have undergone intense exam preparation, trying to cover years of work under such a short space of time. While this period marked my loneliest ever point, looking back at it, it was a small price to pay. Especially if I will get my top choice course at college next year. All the energy that would've went towards trying to be friendly with a dozen more people would've just left me behind. Mastering solitude is certainly a top skill to have. And having those 3-4 close friends was more than what was needed for me to push this far. And despite all this, I have to say this marks a long term mental high, that feels now a part of me that cannot be taken away, unlike short-term satifaction on the outside.

[@hugofrisk1889]

After reading some comments here I realize that this might be one of your more important videos. Usually the things you talk about are pretty obvious. But this video has really sparked a discussion :) doing a deeper dive on this subject with some academic research would be interesting!

[@leonsview]

Would love to see such a deepdive!

[@daria.746]

Hey Samuel, that’s an interesting and ambiguous topic. While I agree that hustling now probably has the biggest impact on your career, I would argue that special memories you create can have a huge influence aswell - a one of a kind vacation with you friends for example. The question remains: When would you even call yourself financially free? Most of the very successful people I know used to raise that bar along their way, resulting in them still working til 50-60 or even 70. Becuase if you have that „grindset“ you probably don’t want to miss the opportunity to go even bigger with your company, what if it changed the whole industry right? So to me there always has the be some fun🙃 Even in my 24th year of life. But you’re still right. If you wanna be successful in what you’re doing, you better start now!

[@MrTropius89]

this work-life balance thing is subjective because it works for some while it doesnt for others. for me it defintiely works: for instance, 1/3 day work, 1/3 day sleep, 1/3 day personal/other stuff is my key to happiness and good mental health. but obviously my meat is someone else's posion, or my garbage is someone else's gold. the important thing to do is find what works for you and makes you happy!

[@andrazmatos6688]

I think this is what matters as well. The more you work when you're young, the more it will show when you grow up.

[@silvankuebler]

In the end for me it all boils down to do something you really love and you will excel at it.

[@basstscho1400]

As cynical the integral visualiziation is, i agree with the overall goal for life. The thing is, you simply dont know the upper limit of your personal integral and besides decisions e.g. smoking its not in your hands. When you get hit by a truck you dont want your tombstone to show 'he would have been really happy at 90 for skipping all the partys'. Cherish the time you have. For math proof of why luck pays a bigger role than grinding check the video from veritasium on how to be an astronaut.

[@erinxhsu]

I’ve always felt “work life balance” as a term can mean different things to different people, and it’s just up to the individuals threshold and goals, and what recharges them :) interesting video!

[@hansdaakamoewg4740]

Fun in youth != Fun when you are old

[@richardtobing5012]

you should do a lo fi video of you just coding from 10am to midnight on a saturday, it will help people be more productive

[@fatezero1919]

Furious Pete you have changed...

[@Omerkosar]

Solid advices. Learned a lot of perspective from you.

[@IWillBeTheVeryBest]

Sam you look really good for a natural bodybuilder. How strong is the temptation in the US to go on TRT? Seems like everyone in the US and is into fitness is on it.

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

Very tempted. i don’t think anybody in my gym does any kinds of PEDs, but still. And as of TRT goes, sooner or later I will wanna do it

[@avy1]

> Seems like everyone in the US and is into fitness is on it you're following the wrong people on social media

[@bryantaylor9115]

Horrendous take. You should enjoy each day like you'll die tomorrow. Love the people around you and let them love you. I understand the satisfaction that comes with being successful in your career, but you should still have a work life balance.

[@hugofrisk1889]

But if you enjoy your work, why do you have to have a so much free time? Most successful people who work hard also enjoy their job, the people they're working with, and, enjoy making an impact. Why can't that be enough?

[@bryantaylor9115]

@@hugofrisk1889 I totally understand where you're coming from and I do see people that truly enjoy what they do. However I don't think that point covers the people that don't love their job, and those jobs still need doing. I think you should keep up with the people in your life and enjoy yourself. That lack of third places in the US can make it harder to build communities so don't lose the people you care about. Spend some time with them. Don't work yourself to death and live a little

[@hugofrisk1889]

Agree

[@joel1018]

A lot of love from Azerbaijan 🇦🇿 ❤️ I am 17 years old, and I have been watching your videos for approximately 2 years. I can definitely say that you shaped me as a person and you are my role model. I hope that someday I will meet you!

[@sirloollonator]

haha, nice story, im 17years old too but from germany

[@TobiasRebentisch]

Hardly disagree (Coming from someone who works a lot) "Your future life" does not exist. Only the current moment is real. Exchanging your happiness and fun now for the future is exchanging your happiness with literally nothing.

[@coder7322]

As someone who regularly pushes 70-80h work weeks (because thankfully I love my job), I came here to say exactly this. None of us know if we have any future at all. Good friend from work got randomly diagnosed with cancer during the pandemic in his 20s. He’s alive but his doctors told him to either get more sleep, less stress etc. or literally wait for the cancer to return and die. Just like that, total 180 of “future” plans.

[@PBL-50]

I agree partly. Your future life is unsure, but it is not nonexistent. Human life would pretty much break apart, if we all saw it that way. I agree that the mindset proposed in this video is a gamble, though. You exchange time that you could use for your enjoyment now, and for that you get a potentially better future life. There are a couple of things that could go wrong though. All your work just could not pay off, especially if you're doing something that has a small success probability anyway, like building a startup, trying to get famous etc. Or, as you stated, you could die at any point and not even live to see that future. In my opinion everyone needs to find their own stance and balance regarding these questions.

[@coder7322]

@@PBL-50 yeah, balance is the key. I definitely didn’t mean to suggest that everyone should just give up and assume they’ll die any moment. That would be a depressing way to live!

[@davidc4408]

It's not easy. Brother had 3 start ups fail

[@johnvonleibniz]

Awesome video and I also share this perspective, i.e. work hard now so you have the balance you need/want later in life.

[@elumedivine2996]

What's the name of your Start up or Company?

[@TourBD-53]

Nice content But, SEO score is very low.

[@isabellawalser4150]

Despite your explanation at the beginning of the video: any follow-up vlogs on your start-up life coming?

[@mathstravails]

I agree, however 10 hour coding session would explode in views just put in some background lofi😊

[@v3r0x]

You could also just die at 30 and not have any comfort and Joy in life.... so much to working your ass off.

[@hugofrisk1889]

As someone younger than Samuel, totally agree. I often hear my friends complain that they don't have enough spare time or are too stressed etc. But then you ask what they actually do with the spare time they have. And it's always a hesitant answer. Turns out they most often sit at home watching Netflix, KZbin or gaming. If they actually hung out with friends then I wouldn't have much against it - they're distributing their life's happines over time in a more linear way. But since they're not even engaging socially irl they're just wasting happines, future and present. People always think their time is sooo important. But in reality, most people waste a ton of time on mindless shit that neither makes you happy nor successful. Ofc I often fall in to this trap myself but I have atleast stopped coming up with bullshit excuses about lack of time. There's always more time if you look hard enough.

[@daria.746]

100% correct. In this day and age, we spend our time with so much nonsense. It’s hard not to get distracted tho.

[@ege8240]

problem is, you are fooling yourself into thinking that you will be more successful if you work more.

[@aaronschulze1250]

what a lame comment section! I usually never comment on videos but I wasn’t expecting this many negative people here…I completely agree with you Samuel, I would say you can always look back later in life, say you tried everything, start from scratch and look for stability/balance from that point on. At least he’s doing something. Y’all just making excuses. There’s not a single big success story out there that does not mention any big sacrifices. Do you guys have even any idea how many thousands of kids spend 10/20 years trying to become professional football / tennis / basketball players and they never make it? But the lessons they learn along the way..oh boy

[@daria.746]

In order to be successful in your profession, it is best to work hard: that’s right! But it’s not all about a success story. There are lots of successful sportsmen that even fell into depression after achieving their greatest goal, as life wasn’t abruptly becoming all good. If you want to be successful, working hard is probably one of the best options you have. If you want to be happy, there are other things you should prioritize over success. Doesn’t mean being lazy is good either. Just realize that it’s a multifactorial way:)

[@SamuelBoschMIT]

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[@elias_john]

How can I work hard I am so lazy

[@hugofrisk1889]

It's not difficult to work hard. It's literally as easy as not leaving work on time, not picking up your phone when a task is difficult, not giving up, not saying no when you're asked to do something. Working smart may be difficult, but working hard is not.

[@fredrikstadtilian]

Wrong.

[@RiskyRacoon-dz1wk]

Bullshit