What is the main message of Beyond Order?

The main message of Beyond Order is a guide to finding balance and meaning in life by embracing chaos and order.

How long does it take to read Beyond Order?

The reading time for Beyond Order varies depending on the reader's pace. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

Who is the author of Beyond Order?

Jordan B. Peterson is the author of Beyond Order.

Motivation & Inspiration

Beyond Order Book Summary - Beyond Order Book explained in key points

Listen to the Intro

00:00

Beyond Order summary

Name: Beyond Order
Rating: 4.5 (616 reviews)
Author: Jordan B. Peterson

Jordan B. Peterson

12 More Rules for Life

4.5 (616 ratings)

37 mins

Brief summary

Beyond Order by Jordan B. Peterson is a self-help book that provides a guide to balance chaos with order and achieve personal transformation. It offers practical strategies for overcoming life's challenges and living a meaningful life.

Topics

Social Psychology Emotional Intelligence Inspiration Marriage

Table of Contents

Beyond Order
Summary of 12 key ideas

Audio & text in the Blinkist app

Key idea 1 of 12

What’s in it for me? A call to balance the order and chaos of life.

In his best-selling, and somewhat controversial, self-help guide 12 Rules for Life, clinical psychologist Jordan B. Peterson diagnosed contemporary society as suffering from an excess of chaos. His prescription? Everyone should cultivate personal responsibility to impose a little order.

But, those first 12 rules were only half the story. These blinks complete the picture by fleshing out a dozen more rules to help you navigate the modern world. Drawing on Peterson’s unique perspectives on cultural, scientific, and psychological issues, as well as his intense love for deep readings of myths and pop culture alike, this guide examines the dangers of too much order and lights a path to finding the right balance. With the advice here, you’ll be prepared to dodge the instability and anxiety of chaos while not succumbing to the inertia and paralysis of order.

In these blinks, you’ll learn

what makes your office decor so important;
how Evil Queens leave us feeling helpless; and
why you shouldn’t settle for tiny plates.

Social institutions are essential to an individual’s success.

Early psychologists like Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung loved to take deep dives into an individual’s mind. They believed that hidden within each person were powerful psychological forces called the id, ego, and superego. These forces roughly corresponded to one’s base urges, personal identity, and higher social calling. And the way these forces interacted determined a person's mental state.

While this model surely provided important insights, it leaves out too much. Namely, it ignores all the outside elements which can shape your mind – things like your social status, educational background, and economic outlook. These exterior forces can also have a powerful effect on your mental state.

The truth is, people don’t grow, develop, or think in isolation. We are social creatures and the structures of our social world are essential for keeping us sane.

The key message here is: Social institutions are essential to an individual’s success.

The world that surrounds us is complex, chaotic, and filled with possibilities. Deciding how to interact with this diverse landscape is a daunting task. It’s so daunting that you probably rely on outside forces to help you decide your actions. You look to friends and family for guidance, you follow laws laid out by governments and schools, and often pick up on subtle social cues to determine how to behave in different situations and contexts.

By looking to these outside forces, you can reduce the complexity of the world and more easily find the best course of action. Consider this: Everyone needs food and shelter to survive. You can obtain these essentials in a myriad of ways – you can build a hut in the woods or try stealing food from a neighbor’s house. Yet, by looking to laws and social norms, you see the best way to survive is to have a job, earn money, and buy these items. In this way, the social world gives you a manageable path to follow.

You started learning how to read these social signposts from the very moment you were born. As you grow, you acquire more skills, knowledge, and experiences that help you better navigate the world. You learn what is valuable, how to solve problems, and how to act in ways that benefit yourself and those around you. You also learn when established social rules are inadequate and when to strategically challenge or break them.

If you continually apply yourself to this process you will gradually raise your status in the social hierarchy by acquiring many friends, making lots of money, or becoming distinguished in your chosen field. We’ll look at this process more in the next blink.

Imagine the person you want to be, then try to be that person.

Way back in antiquity, long before the development of modern science, there was an esoteric art called alchemy. Alchemists believed they could use complex recipes to transform one substance into another.

For them, an integral part of this process was the materia prima, or the primal element. This mystical element was the fundamental building block of everything. If you applied the right techniques, it could be transformed into anything from lead, to gold, to life.

Don’t settle for small pains if they can be fixed.

The Peterson family often tells the story of Dell Roberts, Peterson’s father-in-law. Dell was known for his calm demeanor and steadfast kindness. Even when facing life’s cruelest adversities, such as medical problems or the death of a loved one, he never complained – except for once.

You see, every day when Dell came home for lunch, his wife would serve him a homemade sandwich on a small china plate. Every day, for 20 years, he ate it happily. Then, one afternoon, seemingly out of nowhere, he slammed his fist on the table and shouted, “I hate eating off these tiny plates!”

Taking on responsibility is hard, but it brings meaning to life.

Peter Pan is one of the most beloved children’s characters of all time. But why is this spritely flying boy such a universal hit? Well, he lives in a fun, exciting fantasy land, he can fly, and most of all, he has no real responsibilities. Simply put, he’s got everything a child could want.

On the other hand, Pan’s nemesis, Captain Hook, is just the opposite. He’s strict, authoritarian, and lives with mortal fear – in fact, a deadly crocodile ceaselessly pursues him. In short, Hook is all the negative aspects of being an adult.

Don’t tolerate something that you hate.

Imagine you’re working for a large, multinational company. One day, you receive an email declaring that, in the name of political and cultural sensitivity, certain words will be banned in the office. You scan the list and see nothing but innocent phrases.

Surely, this must be a mistake. Yet, to your horror, your colleagues love the initiative. They even respond by suggesting more words to ban, even though their supposed offensiveness is tenuous at best.

Be wary of all ideologies, especially ones with simple answers.

After the author published his book 12 Rules for Life, he set off on a speaking tour across North America and Europe. In lecture halls and theaters, he spoke to crowds about philosophy, psychoanalysis, and the messages embedded in popular cultures.

Yet, there was one topic that enraptured his audiences most of all. That topic was personal responsibility. At first, he was puzzled. Why was this particular theme so engrossing for young people? Surely, it can’t be that novel. But, after meeting many attendees, he realized it was.

Truly commit yourself to a goal and you’ll love the results.

Imagine you’re holding a lump of coal in your hands: This common fossil fuel is dark, dirty, and brittle. Yet, if you apply intense heat and pressure, the type that is found deep within the core of the earth, something amazing happens. Over time, its carbon atoms rearrange into a stable crystalline structure. Suddenly, you have a diamond.

Physically speaking, diamonds are incredibly special. Their repeating internal bonds make them immensely durable. And their glittering, reflective surface gives them a beautiful lustrous shine. These qualities make diamond gems both materially and symbolically valuable across nearly all human cultures.

Always make room for beauty, even if it’s just in one room.

The faculty offices at the University of Toronto are a dour affair. Cold, impersonal, and lit with garish fluorescent lighting, the rooms are a depressing place to spend an hour, let alone a 30-year career. So, Peterson tried to give his office a makeover.

While a strict administrator shot down his original plan to install warm wood paneling, he still managed to spruce things up. He carefully painted the walls, hung richly colored tapestry, and even installed a classic copper drop ceiling.

Investigate and examine any memory that causes you pain.

It’s well past midnight, and you’re snug in bed. Yet, you’re not sound asleep, snoring away. Instead, you’re wide awake and your brain is treating you to a greatest hits compilation of painful memories.

You’re remembering times you hurt people you loved. Times you lied, cheated, or acted maliciously out of fear. Or, perhaps, you’re dwelling on times you’ve been hurt. You’re recalling all the instances you’ve been betrayed, disappointed, or socially cast aside.

Put effort and planning into your intimate relationships.

It’s happened countless times. A couple comes into the therapist's office and they’re both miserable. Maybe one feels neglected and ignored, maybe the other acts suspicious and evasive. Either way, they aren’t happy. So, the question arises: when was the last time you went on a date?

Often, it’s been a very long time. So, at the therapist's suggestion, they go out. And, unsurprisingly, they have a terrible evening. Then, they go out again, and that night is awful, too. Yet, if they keep trying, ten, twenty, a hundred times, something funny happens. They begin to enjoy each other all over again.

Don’t fall for stories that make you resentful, deceitful, or arrogant.

Think back to your childhood. At bedtime, a parent likely tucked you in and, if you were lucky, took a few moments to read you something before sleep. Now, what did they read? A dry collection of words like a dictionary or the periodic table? No. It was a story – and a fantastical one at that.

For millennia, humans have used stories to understand the world around us. Obviously, we use fables and fairy tales to teach children morals and social norms. Yet, even as adults, we unconsciously interpret the events through a narrative lens. In our minds, the world is full of characters, settings, dramatic arcs, conflicts, and conclusions.

Be grateful even in the face of great suffering.

There’s a dramatic moment in the Bible which stands out for its stark portrayal of anguish. It takes place as Jesus hangs on the cross, nearing his mortal death. As he succumbs to the torturous execution, he tilts his head upward and shouts, “My God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

This outburst raises the question: If even a divine figure like Christ can stumble in the face of suffering, how can any of us withstand the inevitable pains of existence? After all, none of us will go through life free from loss, misfortune, and moments of misery. So, why endure it at all?

Want to see all full key ideas from Beyond Order?

Key ideas in Beyond Order

More knowledge in less time

Read or listen

Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.

Find your next read

Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.

Shortcasts ^New

We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

What is Beyond Order about?

Beyond Order (2021) is a prescription for how to navigate the complexities of modern life. While Peterson’s previous work warned of the danger of excessive chaos, this new guide to living details the perils of too much rigid order.

Beyond Order Review

Beyond Order by Jordan B. Peterson (2021) delves into the complexities of life and offers a fresh perspective on individual responsibility and the pursuit of meaning. Here's what makes this book worth reading:

With insightful analysis and meaningful anecdotes, it provides practical guidance for navigating the chaos of modern life and finding personal fulfillment.
The book explores a wide range of topics, including psychology, philosophy, and culture, making it intellectually stimulating and thought-provoking.
It challenges conventional thinking and encourages readers to reflect, explore, and develop their own unique perspectives on life's challenges.

Best quote from Beyond Order

People remain mentally healthy not merely because of the integrity of their own minds, but because they are constantly being reminded how to think, act, and speak by those around them.

—Jordan B. Peterson

Who should read Beyond Order?

Disorganized thinkers looking to clean up their mental room
Inactive dreamers in need of some motivation
Anyone looking for a little direction in life

About the Author

Jordan B. Peterson is a clinical psychologist, professor of psychology at the University of Toronto, and well-known YouTube personality. He’s the author of Maps of Meaning and the best-selling self-help book 12 Rules for Life.

Categories with Beyond Order

Motivation & Inspiration Sex & Relationships Psychology

Book summaries like Beyond Order

Maps of Meaning

Jordan B. Peterson

The Architecture of Belief

Simple Tools for Making Better Choices

27 min

4.4

Excellent Advice for Living

Kevin Kelly

Wisdom I Wish I'd Known Earlier

Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World – and Why Things Are Better Than You Think

366 Meditations on Power, Seduction, Mastery, Strategy, and Human Nature

30 min

4.5

The Power of Intention

Wayne W. Dyer

Learning to Co-create Your World Your Way

What the Rich Teach Their Kids about Money – That the Poor and the Middle Class Do Not!

Turning Simple Disciplines into Massive Success and Happiness

20 min

4.6

13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do

Amy Morin

Take Back Your Power, Embrace Change, Face Your Fears and Train Your Brain for Happiness and Success

Timeless Stoic and Buddhist philosophy

The secret methods to getting what you want

33 min

4.1

The Laws of Human Nature

Robert Greene

What affects your day-to-day life

Transform Your Brain With the New Science of Kindness

The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know

How to free yourself from philosophical dogmas and assert your own values

25 min

4.7

Positive Communication for Leaders

Julien C. Mirivel & Alexander Lyon

Proven Strategies for Inspiring Unity and Effecting Change

Rewire Your Brain and Body for Less Stress and More Resilience

The New Psychology of Success

Mastering the Art of Changing Minds

The 15 Most Powerful Principles for Wealth, Health, and Happiness

26 min

4.6

Less Doing, More Living

Ari Meisel

Make Everything in Life Easier

The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout

A Guide To Spiritual Enlightenment

19 min

4.4

28-Day FAST Start Day-by-Day

Gin Stephens

The Ultimate Guide to Starting (or Restarting) Your Intermittent Fasting Lifestyle So It Sticks

16 min

4.4

The Myth of Normal

Gabor Maté with Daniel Maté

Trauma, Illness & Healing in a Toxic Culture

20 min

4.6

Thinking, Fast and Slow

Daniel Kahneman

Intuition or deliberation? Where you can (and can't) trust your brain

28 min

4.5

Ikigai

Hector Garcia Puigcerver and Francesc Miralles

The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life

20 min

4.6

The Motivation Code

Todd Henry with Ron Penner

Discover the Hidden Forces That Drive Your Best Work

20 min

4.4

Love People, Use Things

Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus

Because the Opposite Never Works

Your Seven Triggers to Persuasion and Captivation

Revelations and practices to end suffering and discover lasting happiness

23 min

4.4

Breaking Free From Broke

George Kamel

The Ultimate Guide to More Money and Less Stress

16 min

3.8

The Obstacle is the Way

Ryan Holiday

The Timeless Art of Turning Trials Into Triumph

Reflections on Leadership and Legacy

18 min

4.4

The Intelligence Trap

David Robson

Why Smart People Make Dumb Mistakes

The Four Types of Human Behavior and How to Effectively Communicate with Each in Business (and in Life)

Philosophical Insights on Death

4 min

4.3

Untangle Your Emotions

Jennie Allen

Naming What You Feel and Knowing What to Do About It

16 min

3.3

Bringing Out the Best in People

Aubrey C. Daniels

How to Apply the Astonishing Power of Positive Reinforcement

4 min

3.6

7 Strategies for Wealth & Happiness

Jim Rohn

Power Ideas from America's Foremost Business Philosopher

How Algorithms Flattened Culture

A Brief History of Humankind

The Rise and Fall of Long-Term Capital Management

19 min

4.2

The Richest Man in Babylon

George S. Clason

Now Revised and Updated for the 21st Century

21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time

Making Smarter Decisions When You Don’t Have All the Facts

Get Focused, Stop Procrastinating and Upgrade Your Life

How Anyone Can Master the Art and Science of Personal Magnetism

A Practical Guide to Overcome Negativity and Better Manage Your Feelings

17 min

4.4

People ❤️ Blinkist

Sven O.

It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.

Thi Viet Quynh N.

Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.

Jonathan A.

Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.

Renee D.

Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.