What I've Learned: A Short Guide to a Good Life

Over the last six years I’ve had over a hundred conversations with world-class experts on psychology, mental health, and personal development, and I’ve read hundreds of books and studies to prepare for those conversations. In this video I give you a crash course in the most important lessons I’ve learned so far. This is what I wish I knew when I started.

Key Topics:
0:00 Introduction
0:28 Change is possible, but change is hard
2:19 Focus on what you can control
3:50 The consistency principle
5:22 Punishing ourselves is a losing strategy
7:02 What are you pursuing?
8:41 The negativity bias
11:03 Why you don't have self-worth
12:59 Change the beliefs you have about yourself
16:29 Forming a coherent narrative
18:54 Set reasonable expectations
21:54 The middle path
22:49 Homeostasis and social pressure
24:44 How to get good at anything
27:15 Willpower, and avoiding willpower
27:57 Don’t know mind
29:56 The trap of self-awareness
31:02 Risking disappointment
32:44 The function of bad habits
34:34 Look for those who support you
35:47 Changing our models of relationship
38:18 Authenticity
40:09 Embrace good conflict
42:09 Contempt
43:47 Start by joining
46:09 Experiencing out
47:27 Joining with the defense
48:47 Moving toward to move away
50:09 Learning to trust yourself

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I'm not a clinician, and what I say on this channel should not be taken as medical advice.

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[ForrestHanson]

I'd love to hear what you wish you knew sooner. What have you learned so far?

[doriontt]

I really enjoy when you do these types of episodes.

It’s really cathartic to just hear you say “Hey, I get it. This stuff can be hard.” without offering a solution. It gives me a moment to pause and reflect instead of just moving forward to another self-help video telling me how I need to change.

I think having something like this once or twice a month would be really valuable, almost like a check-in on everything we recently discussed. It helps give the journey more depth rather than just feeling like constant effort mode.

[garthblair]

This episode recaps and reiterates how my journey is going. I just completed 1 year of therapy and a lot of what is covered in here was covered in my last session with my therapist. Giving myself credit on how far I have come, not judging myself too harshly, and that I do comprehend base level mental health concepts. I am turning a corner and now working on integrating these into everyday life to help myself in a more positive way.

[jenniferroy]

You are not just a worthy successor of your father as a thought leader but you’ve become your own.

More of all of the types of formats, please!

[kathylogan]

Forrest I really like this format, very straight forward and easy to get a lot out of, but I also always like the conversational format with guests/ your dad... either way your presentations are always thorough, very well articulated, I always learn a lot. Thank you so much for all you do!

[from.memories]

Wonderful episode. Getting bombarded by mindfulness and mental health influencers on social media has really pushed me away with engaging with content like this by default but I’m always glad to get you and your father’s opinions, experience, and guidance.

[Learninghowtosee]

This is one of the best resources because you really capture and connect so many different things in a coherent, digestible manner.

[regndraape]

That part about being an over-confident "expert" on one's own problems was a real lightbulb moment for me! A much needed reminder. Thank you😊

[dorishaus]

Wonderful information! Going to listen again with my husband, he walked in towards the end and after listening a bit said “I’d like to listen to that together.” Thanks so much Forrest for making this all seem not so scary!!! ❤

[zezezep]

Next month i will listen a third time because there is much that i need to take in. Thankyou

[Adriell.h.b.]

I loved this, and it really made me think. Though an hour is a lot. I kinda wish this could be broken down into smaller bits so I could take each bit by its self and think on its self without getting distracted. But maybe that's just me. It's just a lot of information all at once. But a lot of good information.

[awakening]

I like all formats you have - you, you and your dad, or having a guest. I think the variety is interesting.

[TheYazmanian]

A wonderful reminder of how to turn self-awareness into self compassion

[Mikelk]

Thank you for another great video. I like how you switch it up and it’s not all the same content or format.
There’s a lot of powerful content I think in this one that affected me on a deep level. This invokes within me so much curiosity within myself, and even with the people that I surround myself with. Keep up the beautiful work. It is so appreciated and thank you.

[AmandaMG]

I loved this, needed it. It's 1, 000 journal prompts. I want to eat, drink, digest, bathe in these points. I'll settle for taking notes, meditating on them. It seems like it's already all of everything but if there's more, please release!

[AmandaRoeller]

Forrest, this was outstanding in its comprehensive, sensitively delivered and important content. So much to absorb, I will listen again. Thank you.

[bethanne]

Excellent! I am definitely going to listen to this episode many times because there is so much goodness in your discussion. ❤

[julialednicky]

Thank you for all the hard work in summarizing these important psychological/personal development nuggets. Very clear and succinct. Super helpful and easy to understand.
Well done!

[Riri-zj]

Thank you for sharing this valuable information! 🙏🏼🙏🏼 (and not asking us to buy an expensive program like people do on IG).
I struggle having self-esteem as a new student & your channel has been helpful.

[skabarella]

that was a really informative concise and helpful compilation of a lot of your content. I love it! Love the conversations as well, but this format has its own perks, like being easier to follow and I appreciate the repition and new assembly of the theories, methods and ideas.