Join us as we delve into Jordan Peterson’s teachings on self-improvement and explore actionable strategies to become the best version of yourself.
Lessons from Jordan Peterson
1. Treat yourself like someone you’re responsible for helping
Think about how you would take care of a loved one who needs support. Jordan Peterson suggests that you show yourself the same love and compassion. If a friend is feeling down, for example, you could encourage them to rest, eat well, and practice self-care. Similarly, you should prioritize your own well-being by taking physical, mental, and emotional care of yourself. This may include:
- Practicing self-compassion
- Prioritizing self-care
- Setting healthy boundaries
- Engaging in self-reflection
In “12 Rules for Life” and his lectures, Peterson emphasizes self-care and self-compassion. He believes they improve well-being and aid in navigating difficulties. By using these practices into our daily lives, we take responsibility for our own growth.
2. Set your house in order before you criticize the world

According to Jordan Peterson, before we try to change the world, we should first focus on improving ourselves, similar to how we would clean up our own house before attempting to solve the world’s problems. This involves coping with our own personal issues and striving to become better individuals. You can do this by striving for:
- Prioritizing self-improvement by working on our own flaws, weaknesses, and limitations.
- Acquiring new skills or enhancing existing ones that can empower us to make a positive impact on the world.
- Resolving personal conflicts or healing past wounds that may hinder our ability to engage constructively in the world.
Peterson encourages personal responsibility and self-improvement in order to have a positive global impact. By beginning with ourselves and continually improving, we become better change agents, able to address issues and positively contribute to our communities and society.
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3. You should be the strongest person at your father’s funeral
Jordan Peterson’s advice on being the strongest person at your father’s funeral goes beyond simply dealing with grief. It points out the significance of emotional resilience and the need to develop inner strength.
He believes that developing the emotional capacity to face grief and adversity with grace allows us to not only navigate difficult times in our own lives, but also to be a pillar of support for others. It reflects his belief that strength comes from within and that we have the ability to overcome life’s obstacles.
4. Befriend people who want the best for you
Jordan Peterson points out the importance of being surrounded by positive influences and supportive relationships. He recommends seeking out and maintaining friendships with people who:
- Celebrate your successes: Genuine friends are happy for your achievements and celebrate your successes without envy or jealousy.
- Provide constructive feedback: True friends offer constructive feedback with kindness and sincerity.
- Show up during tough times: Real friends are there for you during difficult times, offering emotional support and a helping hand.
- Encourage your growth: Authentic friends inspire and motivate you to become a better version of yourself.
- Respect your boundaries: Trustworthy friends respect your boundaries and understand and accept your choices and decisions.
He is a strong believer that surrounding ourselves with positive influences can help us achieve our goals by providing motivation, accountability, and support.

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5. It’s not okay for you to be a weak loser
He believes that settling for mediocrity or weakness is unacceptable, and that we should always strive to improve ourselves. Jordan Peterson is known for often using a strong language. This is just one of those lines where he emphasizes the importance of continuous self-improvement and refusing to settle for complacency. Peterson’s message is all about taking control of our lives and striving for excellence as we only have one life. We’re all in, so why not give it your best shot?
You can do this by:
- Setting meaningful goals
- Cultivating discipline
- Learning from failures
- Surrounding yourself with positive influences
- Educating yourself continuously
- Practicing self-reflection
- Taking ownership of your actions
By incorporating these practices into your daily life, you can actively take responsibility for your own well-being and growth, and strive to become the best version of yourself, in alignment with Jordan Peterson’s teachings.