Stephen Fry on Goals, Whining and Getting a Life (VIDEO)

I’ve long been a fan of Stephen Fry, the actor, producer, and writer whose credits include [amazon_link id=”1401223613″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]V for Vendetta[/amazon_link], [amazon_link id=”B007K3JCAE” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows[/amazon_link], [amazon_link id=”B002LFPAUM” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Blackadder[/amazon_link] and Jeeves and Wooster, the 1990’s TV show in which he played Reginald Jeeves to Hugh Laurie’s Bertie Wooster. I still need to check out that show, but have heard nothing but good things.

Look for Fry next in Doors Open, an ITV film about a millionaire, an art professor and a banker who swap priceless art with forgeries, and The Hobbit: There and Back Again, in which he plays Master of Laketown.

My friend Danny Gallagher passed along this video of an interview Fry did with SplashLife (which is a pretty cool site – go check it out), and it’s definitely worth a listen. Yes, I know it’s 31 minutes long and your time is limited, but at least listen to the first few minutes.

I’m not sure I agree with his thoughts on goals. He says NOT to set them, but that would probably be the kiss of death for me, because I need something solid to strive for in life. Otherwise I might just lie around and watch [amazon_link id=”B001V7UXG2″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Jeeves and Wooster[/amazon_link].

A few highlights:

  • Don’t set goals. Because when you get there, you’re not sure what to do.
  • Don’t whine. No one likes listening to someone whine.
  • Don’t talk about yourself all the time. People don’t like it.
  • Learning is all about others, not about yourself.
  • One of the best things you can learn in life is how to give.
  • Stay open.
  • Be kind.

Have a listen and leave comments below. Do you think he’s right about not setting goals? 

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