In 2015, just a week after turning 30, Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI, the company behind the popular chatbot ChatGPT, shared a blog post containing 36 pieces of life advice. This post, published on April 29, 2015, the year OpenAI was founded, offered insights into various aspects of life, including work, money, relationships, and personal growth.
Altman’s advice emphasizes the importance of prioritizing what brings joy and fulfillment. He reminds readers that “Life is not a dress rehearsal—this is probably it. Make it count.” He also guides readers on achieving success, which he believes involves choosing the right path, maintaining focus and self-belief, building personal connections, recognizing talented individuals, and hard work.
Regarding work, Altman emphasizes the challenge of excelling in a job one is not passionate about. He advocates for hard work, organization, and taking calculated career risks. He also shares his perspective on money, asserting that while it may not guarantee happiness, it can provide freedom, which is significant. “Lack of money is very stressful. In almost all ways, having enough money so that you don’t stress about paying rent does more to change your well-being than having enough money to buy your own jet,” he stated.
Altman’s advice also extends to personal growth and relationships. He encourages people to communicate more, read longer content, watch less TV, and limit internet usage. The OpenAI CEO also urges individuals to surround themselves with intelligent, interesting, and ambitious people. “Don’t screw people and don’t burn bridges. Pick your battles carefully,” he suggests, adding, “Forgive people,” and “Don’t chase status.”
It’s interesting to note that Altman’s advice reflects his own journey. While he is a prominent figure in the AI sector, much of his estimated $2 billion net worth doesn’t come from AI. Instead, he made his fortune by investing in startups, acquiring stakes in around 125 early-stage companies.
In a 2016 interview with his brother Jack Altman, Sam discussed work-life balance in one’s twenties and career growth. He said, “I do think you want to work harder than most people think you should and I think that if you do that you tend to benefit from it later.”
Last month, it was reported that Apple Inc. is in discussions to take a stake in OpenAI as part of a new fundraising round that could value the ChatGPT-parent at over $100 billion.
Sam Altman’s life advice, shared in his 2015 blog post, offers valuable insights into achieving happiness, success, and personal growth. His words resonate with many and provide a roadmap for navigating various aspects of life.
