Why You Will Never Have a Great Career - Jordan Peterson 

Hate when interviewers ask "Why did you chose us?" I'm trying to survive in this cruel world and I believe you can help me.

This is why i hate jobs applications and job interviews. They always assume you want a career in whatever field their job is in. And they always assume you REALLY want that job for some reason other than money. I really want to just tell them that I don’t want the job they are offering, I just want a job so i can eat and pay my bills.

I agree. I was in my mid 30's when I discovered that I indeed had a career, but what I wanted was a job, and a life outside of my career. Work to live, not live to work.

Hobbies is what defines you. If you do your Hobbies well...you are already a competent man in real Life.

Just remember: there's a reason why a job pays a lot and or has a lot of demand. Dangerous, time consuming, travel heavy, high education needed, etc.

... “the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation”

"Why do you want this job?" .....M.O.N.E.Y why else would I show up to this place I don't want to be in for?. If only honesty was a thing in job hunting.

This guy nails it. Most people place too much emphasis on their jobs in their lives. Let's put it this way, when you're on your deathbed you're not going to think about how good you were at your job or career. Work to live, not live to work.

I don’t remember ever wanting a career. Even now I don’t want a career. I want a job that pays as much as possible for as little effort as possible. My passion is reading books, writing, and walking in the woods and visiting new places, meeting new people. That’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. So I’ve worked really hard to progress in an industry I don’t particularly feel excited about but has now rewarded me with being very good at it and being able to “demand” things that employers will actually give me. So now I work a part time home office job and I get paid very well compared to the effort I put in (it’s taken a lot of years hard effort to be in a position where I can do the thing standing on my head). The people are nice, the job’s easy, I hang out with my dog in my office until the bell goes at 4pm and then the rest is mine. And this is fine for me. It’s enough.

I’m extreme blessed when I was 17 I would just hang out at the local music store I’m 28 now and get literally paid to do that . A little more complicated now but I still can’t believe I’m so blessed to work at a music store . Someday I will be teaching as well as doing sales and customer service .

Why don’t high schoolers get this lesson? Maybe we wouldn’t have so many people who owe insurmountable student loans.

You don't have to find significant purpose in your job to enjoy it. I'm in the military (corpsman), the "fulfillment" I found was more related to the relationships I formed with the people around me, not the job itself, which is extremely repetitive and not like what you see in Hollywood. I found pleasure in basic and simple jobs too. But don't put too much weight on it, nurture the other parts of you (social life, romance, hobbies, religion, etc) to find your whole purpose, don't just rely on your career, that's one puzzle piece.

Lies we were told growing up: You will get a career You can be ANYTHING you want to be when you grow up Be nice and kind to others and you will get the same in return You were the most beautiful baby in the world. If you need help just ask.

Oh boy! He shatters perceptions of 'my' reality unlike anyone!

Find peace at home. I worked in broadcasting for a few years thinking this is where I can start my career. After 3 years of 80 hours a week, I realized I would rather be less "successful" and more happy. Now I make half of what I used to, but I have time to actually live my life.

As a med student, I can assure you that 60 hour work weeks are what's considered cushy hours. 80 hours are the norm for some surgeons and many residents. It's why a lot of younger doctors are trying to unionize to fight for better working conditions for doctors. We are simply not paid or treated well enough for the amount of difficulty it takes to become a doctor.

Life with meaning - includes rich relationships with others ( unselfish love given) and finding one’s purpose or helping others find theirs

My mom is a lawyer running a small scale legal aid company. While it is a very demanding job, she has definitely found a fufillment for her desire for interpersonal relationships through her jobs.. Because she herself acts as a humanr ather than money hungry lawyer. Don't underestimate the power of the individual regardless of the environment.

I became a lead singer for Cirque du Soleil years ago, and this could not be more accurate. Worked my ass off to get there my entire life. Did not have time to see friends from school really, and didn’t party in my teenage years, which I didnt mind, because I was very focus and disciplined. I cannot even start to tell you how much Ive sacrificed indeed, it has been difficult, competitive and stressful at times ITS CRAZY to do that, I’ve often thought. I thought of quitting so many times just cause its been too much sometimes, the travelling every week, not seeing my close ones, missing almost all the important events in there lives. I cried so many times and burned out myself twice. I’ve even done shows with broken bones. But somehow. I’VE NEVER FELT LIKE IT WAS A JOB, and SACRIFICES DIDNT FEEL AS BAD as they were because I was PASSIONATE about it. I just feel like Im doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing! Im good at it and know it so well. I had to find a job during the two years pandemic. And you know what happened? Turned out… as much as I woukd really want to be with my family all year long and just have a quiet job.. It made me miserable! Having a job got me depressed and sick. At the end of two years… I knew I wouldnt be able to keep having a job. Because I didnt feel accomplished, i didnt feel particularly great at it, I wasnt able to perform well, cause I just didnt have the interest for it. It clearly wasn’t my calling. I’m so proud of myself and especially greatful for everything I’ve accomplished career wise so far. But I’m also 37 years old now. And I haven’t had the chance to have any long term relationships. Travelling made it difficult to build something with someone. To have a strong and solid foundation, while I always had to go! I’m the eldest of three girls. Im the big sister and always loved taking care of everyone. I’ve also always wanted to have kids, since I was a teenager. We all thought I would have been the first to marry, settle down and have kids and that’s it. The weirdest part is that despite the fact that I started doing it very young, I was always doing it as a hobby, for FUN! I could have never guessed in a million years at the time that I would end up singing for a living for real! Because I didnt have to think about it as “maybe” a career before I was 21 and had to decide what to study in college. And even then - choosing to study music and give a shot at a career as a singer, was a bold move. I come from a very small village and no one did that professionally in my family. So I had no expections! No idea of anything hahaha. So, I totally relate to what he is saying.

I totally agree with everything he said. My Niece became a lawyer and within the FIRST year she QUIT!!! She said she could see how easy it would be to go down the rabbit whole of putting life aside in order to maintain this crazy profession. She's now a stay at home Mom.raising her three sons 🤗❤

I needed this so much 15 years ago

Went to school for a career my family thought was “right” for me: in my early 20’s. It’s been over 40 years and I spent much of it trying to prove myself. It was honorable, I helped people but if asked, I’m not sure I’d do it again. Do what you will with my meager input. Covid-19 was a coup de grace in my career at the finish line. My takeaway: do what you can do that is honest and won’t give you nightmares

Found this kind of reassuring, oddly enough. Been working as a butcher for 5 years now (I'm 28) and have been deflated recently as I want an actual job I'm passionate about but just can't seem to find something that excites me. I'm a father of one with a 2nd on the way and my home life outside of work being very enjoyable is the only thing keeping me from trying something new. It's a stable job and the pay is more than enough for us to live quite comfortably, I'm not under overly much stress other than Christmas and I would work roughly 55 hours per week including travel. Reading through some of these comments and my heart goes out to all the doctors/lawyers under immense pressure. Maybe I should just accept the fact that not everybody in life can work in a role they value/enjoy

I'm 33 and struggling with this reality. Put all my eggs in a basket for a career until I switched to a job in another unrelated field. Now I lack passion in this field and having a second crisis. I feel kinda dumb for struggling in such a common topic.

You want a job with maximum pay with minimal output so that you can spend your free time on hobbies and with family.

Doc here…. 60 hr work week!!! Where do I sign? In all actuality… it’s more… more like 70-80. Best advice I can give you…. Set your comfort bar as low as possible (women tend to drive the cost of this bar up)… then find a job or craft that allows you to make that necessary income but also maximizes your free time…. Then enjoy life. The most peaceful time in my life was landscaping in the summers during college years.

I work as a security guard. It's boring, and my human interactions are few. But I love it!!!

I'm part of that 2% I feel so lucky. I work at a winery in the napa Valley teaching about wine and that is my passion. I'm so privileged and am very blessed I've found something I would do even if it doesn't pay...I love this guy he's an inspiration

All humans really wanna do is eat, have fun, work comfortable hours in their comfortable job, and sleep. That’s really all we desired but we have to work 2 jobs or a quality job just to keep a head above water. That’s our reality lol

I’m 23 and just started my first engineering job, It’ll be a career for me, it’s a passion and I’m not letting any pressure get to me, working on my pace and enjoying myself while educating myself to get better at my field

Needed this. I keep feeling like I'm a failure unless I get a career that I enjoy. But I feel like I'll suffer to do that, never be really happy, always be stressed. I feel like I need to choose between success and happiness. So hearing this is really nice, that success of a career is just a social lie, so why should I stress about it.

I did sixty hour work weeks doing night shift in a security office. I was 19 when I started. When I came out, I had no idea who I was. I'm easily consumed, and for letting the beast take a bite all I had to show for it was money of which I had no desire to spend because I'd lost my interests. If you can thrive in a work filled life, godspeed. I can't.

I love how man with career is telling other they will not have one

I am a retired hairdresser . I had a career . I loved my job and I loved going to work everyday . It was not financially lucrative and I wish that it would of paid better but I was able to support myself and love what I did so no regrets .

I love my career as a preschool teacher. I make shit pay, but I enjoy what I do and I do it well. I have followed some of the kids that have been in my classrooms through adulthood and it has been an honor being their first teacher.

I feel so tricked by the school system into going to college.

Stressful, demanding, competitive, and difficult is a good description of the practice of law.

As a lawyer I'm beginning to realise fulfilling my career goals did not make my life meaningful. It was the chase that gave it meaning. Not the catch. So what do I do now? I have a family that I am thankful for but suddenly I'm not chasing any big goal anymore and that is truly terrifying. All my life I have been chasing goals ans now I'm just supposed to live? It may sound strange but for me this is an absolute existential crisis.

Truth, especially about lawyers

This is what needs to be preached in high school!!!!!

I needed this😢 Thank you sir

As a restaurateur I heard “60 hour weeks” and thought “lucky bastards!”

To me, a career profession is something that surrounds your whole life, it’s who you are, it’s more than just the role you fill for 40 hours a week. Most people like to think they’d have a career, until they realise how much of themselves and their lives they have to give up to obtain it, then they realise they’d actually rather have weekends off or be able to spend time doing things they enjoy, and I don’t blame them.

I fix washing machines in my garage and sit and eat popsicles in my back yard with my wife and dog.

I’m so happy that I chose my “vocation” to be a Catholic priest! It’s not a job and it’s not a career. Life is short and I wanted to spend my short life growing as close to the Lord as I could and bringing others with me. It’s very meaningful to bring meaning to peoples lives and to be walking with them on their journey and helping them get a sense of purpose in their life. The truth is, if we try to live out a mission of growing in love and holiness even in jobs or careers we can still find life meaningful!

I have a career in psychology. I can agree that this is the most difficult job I’ve ever done in my life. And I enjoyed greatly

Love the definition of a jpb and a career..so true.

I didn't need this guy to tell me that I'm gonna be a destitute wage slave for the rest of my life. I can just look though the hole where my window was to figure that out.

The greatest measures of our success is knowledge and the application of intelligence not wealth.

Another example is being a game designer. Sounds like a dream job, right? Those people get overworked and stressed a lot.

I had a career as a Self Taught Artist for over 30 Years ! I loved what I did, created many works of art which bring pleasure to people till this day, and made a very good living ! I never listened to the NAYSAYERS who said it couldn't be done ! Today I have a worldwide following of those who own my art, and others who just admire it.

You can find fulfillment in jobs that aren’t exactly what you want to do. This is by appreciating your god given abilities to do different things beyond what you would think you can. You also have to negotiate with yourself on doing what you love, but it might not pay enough to live. Try to enjoy the journey while your working towards that desired career.

Same for Accounting and Medical field.

I wish that I had known this when I was young. Thanks for sharing.

Mannnn, I wish he was my close relative. I love him so much. Intelligence, courage, carisma, everything. Thank you JP❤

Guess this is where I feel extremely lucky to be part of that 2% I genuinely love what I do and I’ve very close bonds with my team, hell I even just helped one of my coworkers mow their lawn not even two hours ago. They’ve brought their daughter over to play with my cats, and even helped me move into my current house last fall. On top of that, I have a very healthy work/life balance, with unlimited PTO and a boss who literally doesn’t care when I log on or how long I’m on at a time as long as my work is done and I’m meeting project deadlines. Now work, well work is work, and there’s always going to be good days and bad days. There’s always going to be tasks that feel menial that you’ll encounter periodically, but fundamentally, I’m ecstatic to do what I do and I never dread the next workday. My advice would be to anyone looking to find a “career”, do something that you genuinely enjoy. Put your all into it, cultivate your skills and hone your craft, and you will flourish and eventually achieve the lifestyle you desire. Why? Because you’ll do whatever is necessary to always climb that next rung up the ladder. You’ll never be complacent. You’ll succeed.

What you want is "pay up here (gestures a tall height) and work down here (low gesture)". Wisdom is that you want to find the best balance of pay and effort that allows you to live the way you want to live

Always been having second thoughts if I made the right decision in quitting law school until now. Thank you Jordan.

That Freudian slip of "interment" was the truest thing he said. Because people often get buried in their jobs/careers in order to keep up with the demand it places on them.

...I wish someone told this to me when I was much much younger. I'd have started my Entrepreneurial Journey sooner. I love this more because though it's not a get out of slavitude card, it opens me up to do work I want to do and be on the front line of seeing the direct impact of the work I do. Work days are longer but it's work you want to do... .

Fantastic, brilliant advice. Thank you so much.

As a recruiter myself, if you said you want the job because you need money, it's good enough for me. I won't try to dig more. It's a common sense and reasonable. It is a strong drive. As long as you have the skills and the best among other candidates. You're in.

Exactly what I needed to hear on my lunch break.

Clinical therapy is all of the above yet extremely rewarding. ❤

JOB = Just Over Broke

Im a software engineer and I love my career

I'm a CPA and can confirm. Job is stressful as fuck, long hours, etc. I wish I hadn't pursued this career path, but I've invested way too much time and money into it to pursue something else. I am stuck in my general path and dread my future.

I've only ever been happy when I wasn't employed, and that's NOT good! They don't tell you that in school

I think it’s critical to find out what’s important to you. What do you value? Some people want desperately to be at the top of their field & the sacrifice their personal lives to get it. Me, I know right now there’s no career that I care about, there’s no field that I want to be on the top of that’s more important than being in the lives of my 2 kids. Neither one of us are wrong.

I DONT WANT TO HAVE A CAREER! JUST A LIFE! IN THESE TRYING TIMES! ❤❤❤❤🖖😎, TOO OLD TOO WORRY TOO YOUNG TO CARE! IM HERE! WITH YOU!

Gee, thx for the breath of optimism, Buzz Killington.

Man cannot live by bread alone. If you put Christ first in your life and know that you are not necessarily working for a boss or employer, but God. And your work ethic and attitude reflect that commitment and love, then you will always be fulfilled, no matter the job or career. Put God first in your life and you will be content. God bless and may mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance

His honesty is so refreshing....

Look folks, a job and a career are one and the same. Don’t let these overly complicated, academics try dumbing down your views. If you view your job as a career, then it’s your career.

Tough truths -too often overlooked or even deliberately suppressed- about the world of work.

I'm 20 Yrs old and I have a career. At one point I was in school getting my certifications for the job I was already doing. I would wake up at 7:30 and get home between 12 and 2 A.M. the next day. I'm an A&P and I love Aviation with such a passion that some days on my day off I choose to work on aircraft because I genuinely enjoy it so much. I'm training to be a pilot now which is likely to be an even more demanding career, but when you love your passion I'd your Job it's a hell of a lot easier to justify. What he doesn't talk about for the career aspect is that yes while it eats up your life outside of work it leaves you with a sense of fulfilment and pride in what you do that a standard job doesn't.

I've never had a "career " but always felt like I needed to. This makes me feel better

How interesting. Turning 28 next month and as a lawyer I can confirm there is no desire for close interpersonal relationships. Work days are an average of 13 hours. When the pandemic began I was a newly qualified and did even longer days. Most of my friends are either settled down now, getting married or having babies and don't understand why I'm not doing the same. After years of studying, training I'm finally doing what I was working towards all this time. The legal profession is incredibly demanding. After a really long day, I just want some peace. It's nice to know that someone out there understands. Edit: 29 in a few weeks... In a year, I got promoted & a chance to build/train my own team - after even more hours, hard work, tears & meltdowns later... I now work reduced hours, take weekends off, and even travel so long as there is WiFi. If you're reading this, keep hustling. 🤍

"Most jobs aren't desirable, meaningful, or the central place of your life"... but you dedicate more than half of the day to it. Adulthood is absolutely frightening! I wonder why civilization hasn't collapsed due to an epidemic of suicides (I'll grow up I suppose). We humans are animals with survival instinct after all...

He is really pouring his depressive outlooks to all of us

So uplifting.

Working as a traveling welder pipe welder. Generally work 60 hours in 5 days to have 2 days off where I volunteer work with kids to make their lives better (help with home work, being a mountain bike coach, being an adult they can trust and lean on when they're not feeling good etc. I spend roughly 25 hours in my house every week, that is 3 nights worth of sleep. And cutting the lawn once per week. I have had 3 days of vacation in total during the last 4 years I have no time for a relationship and I feel no pull for one either. The few hours here and there when I have time for myself do I have more than enough money to do whatever I want, which is driving my dream car, and me owning a house and my dream car without having loaned a single penny at age 25 just shows that working is what I do best and what I love to do. I would say that I have a career and I'm working towards a goal.

I thank God I found I job I enjoy. Of course, it isnt my main passion, but I get to do my passion for fun now and work where Im also passionate about. It doesnt pay too much, but I can find happiness and fulfillment in this career

This is one of the channels that gave me the courage to start my RU-vid channel 8 months ago about self development. Now I have 771 subs and > 300 hours of watch time. I know it’s not comparable with others but I’m still proud I started because I’ve been learning so many lessons that I could haven’t learned without getting started in the 1st place.

I'm a no body. Just completed high school in life........I'm over 50 now and don't have a social life. I do have a career. I'm a train operator...Extremely well paid and love my career. I show up to work 45min to a hour early and do overtime if I can.....Hopefully I can work to 70 years old. Not because I have too....Awesome pension, but because I want to... My life has meaning since my career......Imagine growing up sleep walking in life amounting to nothing with dead end jobs in my 30s. Then you end up trying your best in exams and months of testing until 2 years later you finding made it...You make so much money for the company your not even considered an expensive. Your a serious asset which is everything to the business. Your told this constantly. I take it seriously and make sure safety and efficiency is my top priority. Why?...I use to play with trains as a kid....Had a extensive train set.....took up a 3rd of the attic. My love and joy as a child becomes my reality.....I cannot explain to you how this feels. I can only say....I understand what he means......For once....I can relate...

I like the way things are outside of corporate America. A business just puts a "Help Wanted" sign in the window and someone who needs a job goes in to ask about the job. No pretense on either part.

Jordan: “Life is shit no matter what so let’s all continue to contribute to what makes life so shit.” A real intellectual, there

I always love these shorts with his insights.. they're very eye opening and true

Lucky if you like me happen to have been granted the opportunity to go to Law School. Indeed very demanding stressful and competir and no intimate personal relationships are not really found there. I still work as one, but thank God, mainly teaching it at a University. Then I went back to University, while being a Las Profesor, to become a clinical Psychologist. I need to be in contact with people and help them with their emotional trouble. Go for it if you have the blessing of Perusing a career. You’re not to old. Money you’ll eventually get it back if you happen to be in debt; specially if you are lucky enough to do what you like for a living a true career. Become a great whatever and money will come. Hope this helps someone. Thanks Doctor. If you’re already in University; Study. Learn from professors, books and people.

I appreciate this man's honesty

JP has so much wisdom, it's amazing

Teachers have careers! Love what you do! Make sure whatever you choose it is rewarding for you.

As much as this hurts it is very true .. 😞

Stay woke Jordan!

"Find what you love & do that for a living" Well humping, doing drugs, & being naked didn't get me that far regarding paying the bills.

Never crossed my mind even once. Since I don’t require anything.

I'm a designer and find very meaningful connections in my field. It is very demanding, stressful, and competitive....but it is fulfilling

Thanks for the truth and clarity 🙏

So inspiring & uplifting!!😍😍😍

I respect Jordan immensely,he has very wise advice for living your life to the fullest! I have suffered Anxiety and Depression most of my adult life l am currently 50 years of age and only wish l had heard of him earlier on in my life,l can only imagine how l would of been l better person,Father,Friend and Brother,cousin,son,companion,you know there are more relationships what l mean,l would like to thank Jordan personally for opening my eyes to live a more fullfilled life! Bless you Jordan,From Jimmy,Nowra ,NSW, Australia 🌏😃🌅💪