Key Moments
Social Media Growth, Real Life Balance, and Owning Mistakes | Tea with GaryVee ep. 87
GaryVeeKey Moments
Age is irrelevant for chasing dreams; responsibility arrives with children, so act decisively before then. The algorithm isn't the problem, your content quality is.
Key Insights
The "algorithm" is simply people's attention, and content fails when viewers don't engage with it.
Pursuing a dream like theater acting at 46 with family responsibilities requires "spamming" opportunities (DMs, emails) and dedicating nights and weekends.
For those over 70, Gary predicts a rise in influence, with five of the top ten global influencers being over 70 in the next 15-20 years, valuing wisdom.
To overcome mistakes made under the influence, fully "own it" publicly with an apology video, expressing embarrassment and learning from the experience.
Confidence is built by not caring what others think and not putting successful people on a pedestal; their success doesn't diminish your own potential.
The current generation is perceived as entitled, with a desire for instant gratification, contrasting with older generations who embraced hard work and delayed rewards.
Understanding the 'algorithm' is about attention, not magic
Gary emphasizes that the "algorithm" is not some mystical force but a reflection of people's attention. If content doesn't resonate, viewers won't engage, and the content won't be seen. He uses his own experience, noting that his content "algorithm" suffered for months because the quality dipped. The solution isn't to blame the algorithm but to improve the content. This applies universally: if a video, social media post, or any piece of content isn't performing, the creators need to look inward at the quality and engagement factor of what they're producing.
Chasing dreams at any age requires prioritizing action
A listener asks about pursuing theater acting at 46 with a family and full-time job. Gary's advice is direct: "spam" opportunities by contacting every local theater, asking for rehearsals, and dedicating nights and weekends to the craft. He contrasts this with younger individuals who have fewer immediate responsibilities. Gary stresses that if you have children, you have a responsibility to provide for them, and this financial and familial obligation is a consequence of choice. He reiterates his advice to younger people to "go all in" on their dreams before these responsibilities arise, as this is the time to take risks and explore passions without the same level of consequence.
The future belongs to wisdom, not just youth
A 70-year-old woman asks for advice on starting on social media to make money for retirement. Gary predicts a significant shift in influence, foreseeing that within the next 15 to 20 years, five of the ten biggest influencers globally will be over the age of 70. He believes that while the past 15 years have idolized youth culture, the pendulum is swinging back towards valuing wisdom. He envisions himself at 70+ becoming even more popular and influential, likening it to a "Yoda" figure. This perspective suggests that older individuals, rich with life experience, are poised to become powerful voices in the digital space. He advises the listener to leverage her stories and experience, suggesting that authenticity and lived wisdom will be highly valued.
Owning your mistakes leads to self-forgiveness and growth
Responding to a question about dealing with rumors after making a mistake under the influence, Gary advocates for radical accountability. He suggests making a public video apologizing, taking full responsibility, and stating that it won't happen again. This act of "blowing yourself up" and completely owning the error, even if embarrassing, is presented as the path to moving forward. Gary differentiates between intent and action, emphasizing that while intent matters, it's the execution that counts. He believes that forgiving oneself is crucial, as it enables forgiving others and stops the cycle of judgment fueled by personal insecurity. The core message is that while mistakes happen, how you own and learn from them defines your path forward.
Confidence stems from internal validation, not external praise
Gary tackles the concept of imposter syndrome and confidence, particularly when surrounded by successful people. He strongly advises against putting others on a pedestal, stating that their success has no bearing on your own potential. Confidence, in his view, is an internal state, not dependent on external achievements. He shares his own past insecurities, which he overcame through action and a focus on self-belief, rather than being intimidated by others' wealth or success. He encourages listeners not to seek validation from outside sources, including himself, but to build a foundation of self-worth based on their own journey and effort. The key is to recognize that insecurity often stems from personal history and circumstances, not from an inherent lack of capability.
The hustle culture and the entitlement epidemic
Gary reflects on the pendulum swing between hustle culture and what he perceives as an "entitlement epidemic." He recalls the 2008 financial crisis, where highly educated individuals struggled to find jobs, contrasting with the later era where success seemed more accessible through platforms like Facebook and YouTube. He argues that society has overcorrected, leading to a generation that expects immediate gratification and feels entitled to success without commensurate effort. He contrasts this with his own mindset and that of older generations who valued hard work and delayed rewards. He criticizes the focus on feelings and the desire to avoid competition, advocating for embracing challenges and meritocracy, even at personal expense. He believes that true growth comes from striving and facing defeat, not from seeking comfort or avoiding conflict.
Leveraging social media for dreams and business
The conversation touches on various practical applications of social media. For aspiring actors or public speakers, the advice is to "spam" contacts, offer services for free initially, and use tools like ChatGPT to find opportunities. For business owners, Gary stresses "conviction over convincing"—demonstrating success through action rather than just talking about it. He uses an example of selling items from home to prove a concept to his team. He also discusses building personal brands versus company brands, reiterating that the algorithm is driven by content quality, not by the platform itself. For those looking to scale a marketing agency, the solution is straightforward: hire good people, hold them accountable, and foster retention by understanding their needs.
The raw emotion of competition and loss
Gary offers a starkly honest perspective on losing in competitive situations. While acknowledging that learning from failure is important, he admits that his immediate reaction to losing is intense anger and frustration, even wishing ill upon opponents. He clarifies that this is an expression of extreme competitiveness and not a literal desire for harm, but it serves to illustrate the powerful emotions that arise. He contrasts this with the more palatable "learning" narrative often presented, emphasizing that true engagement with competition involves raw, sometimes negative, emotional responses. This authenticity, he suggests, is what connects with people and highlights the high stakes involved in genuine striving.
Mentioned in This Episode
●Products
●Companies
●Organizations
●People Referenced
Common Questions
GaryVee advises dedicating your nights and weekends to your craft, actively seeking out rehearsals and auditions. He stresses that while responsibilities are important, they shouldn't completely halt the pursuit of dreams, especially if those dreams were not addressed in earlier years.
Topics
Mentioned in this video
Used as a benchmark for the success and cultural impact GaryVee aims to achieve with his V Friends collectible project.
Referenced as a successful franchise that GaryVee aims to parallel with the scope and impact of his V Friends collectibles.
Used as an example of a highly successful storytelling franchise that GaryVee aims to replicate with his V Friends initiative.
Mentioned as a beloved franchise that GaryVee sees his V Friends project aspiring to become, emphasizing storytelling and broad appeal.
Listed alongside My Little Pony as iconic franchises GaryVee is building his V Friends brand to rival in terms of cultural impact and storytelling.
Mentioned as someone who advised against using social media for certain goals, prompting GaryVee to question his understanding of 'spam'.
Mentioned as an example of a celebrity whose personal life (relationship with Travis Kelce) is discussed by people to distract from their own insecurities.
Mentioned in relation to Taylor Swift, highlighting how public interest in celebrity relationships can be a way for people to avoid focusing on their own issues.
Mentioned as a foil to Obi-Wan Kenobi, representing the force that might overcome GaryVee if he stops competing.
A former colleague of GaryVee who challenged him on acting on intent rather than just having good intentions.
A character from Star Wars, used by GaryVee to illustrate his desire to live a simple, disciplined life and embrace competition without using power to maintain status.
Used as an example of someone whose ambition (becoming quarterback of the Jets) is unrealistic given his current skill level, similar to the theater actor.
Mentioned as an example of a powerful figure whose actions are sometimes misinterpreted as the 'algorithm'.
Included as an example of a successful modern influencer whose earning potential is higher than that of past generations.
A guest who runs a digital marketing agency for restaurants and is considering focusing on the company brand versus his personal brand.
A viewer who thanks GaryVee for his content and shares how he's pursued improv and comedy, inspired by GaryVee's messages.
Mentioned as a contemporary successful content creator, indicating that current generations are achieving financial success at younger ages.
Mentioned as someone who also experiences intense emotions when losing, illustrating that strong competitive feelings are not limited to a specific persona.
Referenced in the context of athletic careers ending due to physical limitations, contrasting it with GaryVee's hope that his mental drive will sustain him.
Mentioned alongside Elon Musk as someone whose influence is sometimes mistakenly equated with the 'algorithm'.
GaryVee compares his ambition for V Friends to the creation of major entertainment franchises like Marvel, highlighting his long-term vision.
The name of the digital marketing agency run by Julio, which focuses on supporting family-owned restaurants.
Mentioned as a major entertainment company whose scale and storytelling GaryVee aims to emulate with his V Friends project.
Mentioned in the context of unrealistic career aspirations, comparing the desire to be a quarterback to an average person's chances.
Mentioned as a source of negativity that people should avoid, contrasting it with GaryVee's positive and accountability-focused approach.
GaryVee's favored NFL team, which he feels was unfairly treated by referees in a game against the Chiefs.
GaryVee expresses dislike for the team due to their rivalry with the Jets, specifically referencing a game where he felt the refs made a bad call against the Jets.
Cited as a negative influence that GaryVee advises people to avoid, alongside other judgmental social media figures.
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