You Gotta Want It

1. You Gotta Want It: Relentless Pursuit of Your Passion

When you pursue a passion, dream, or desire with the single-minded purpose of making it real.

Unwavering determination. Jake Paul defines "You Gotta Want It" as pursuing a dream with single-minded purpose, being so determined nothing can stop you. This philosophy drove him from a young age, whether it was his football aspirations or his later ventures into online content creation. He emphasizes that anything you can dream of is possible if you truly desire it and commit to making it happen.

Go for it. From a young age, Jake was impatient, wanting to "ingest all that information quickly" and get to the "important stuff right away." He encourages readers to defy odds, ignore naysayers, and move with "deliberate fearlessness." His personal story, from a regular kid in Ohio to a successful online personality, serves as a testament to this belief, urging others to stop thinking they are "too young" or that their dreams are "too hard."

Open road ahead. Jake illustrates this mindset with a story of driving his brother's car at 170 mph on a deserted road, stating, "In front of me, for as far as I could see, there was nothing but open road, and I was going for it." This metaphor encapsulates his approach to life: full throttle, no hesitation, always pushing forward towards the horizon of his ambitions.

2. Embrace the Grind: Hard Work Fuels Success

GRIIIIIIIND! THERE’S NO OTHER WAY.

Consistent effort. Jake's journey highlights that success isn't accidental; it's the result of relentless hard work. From doing "two hundred push-ups a day" for football to working in his dad's "disgusting" fixer-uppers, he consistently pushed himself. This ingrained work ethic, instilled by his father, became a cornerstone of his approach to every endeavor.

Beyond the field. His dad, a former military man, emphasized discipline through push-ups, teaching Jake that "they motivate. They discipline. They build strength and confidence." This philosophy extended to their landscaping business, where Jake and Logan "sprinted as we worked," learning real-life skills like negotiation and responsibility, rather than taking minimum-wage jobs.

The burn is good. Even when wrestling became a "grind," Jake forced himself to push through, realizing that "the burn is good. It’s where you want to get to." This commitment to extracting the best possible effort from himself, even when it was uncomfortable, was crucial for his growth and eventual success in the demanding world of social media and entertainment.

3. Adapt and Overcome: Navigate Life's Unexpected Turns

If you learn anything this season, learn that—adapt and overcome.

Unforeseen challenges. Life is full of unexpected twists, and Jake learned early to "adapt and overcome." This mantra, taught by his freshman football coach, became a guiding principle. When his NFL dream became unrealistic due to injuries and lack of enjoyment, he didn't quit; he branched out, exploring other interests and talking to everyone.

Mental fortitude. A pivotal moment was his first high school wrestling loss, where he was "totally destroyed." Instead of dwelling on defeat, he heard his inner voice: "Adapt and overcome." This experience taught him that challenges, mistakes, and rejections are opportunities to learn about oneself and build resilience, pushing past the pain to get better.

Strategic pivots. This principle extended to his career. When Vine started to fade, he recognized the need to adapt to other platforms like Instagram and Facebook. He constantly sought new knowledge and opportunities, understanding that "there’s no set way to do something in life—ever."

4. Own Your Identity: Authenticity is Your Superpower

Being ourselves makes us cool.

Genuine self-expression. Jake emphasizes that "being ourselves makes us cool." From his early Zoosh videos, where he and Logan "improvised" and "cracked ourselves up," to his later Vine antics, authenticity was key. He didn't try to change himself or chase trends, instead embracing his identity as a "crazy guy" who got laughs by doing "stupid stuff."

Beyond the "player" label. Even when labeled a "player" by girls in junior high, Jake chose to "laugh it off and reply honestly," acknowledging his mistakes but asserting his growth. He advises teenage girls that "who you really are is always going to be the most attractive thing about you," encouraging them to pursue their passions without worrying about external validation.

Unapologetically unique. Jake's journey shows that owning who you are, whether it's being a "class clown" or a "smart girl" who likes math, is the best way to achieve popularity and personal satisfaction. He found his niche by being the "crazy guys who hurt themselves trying to get a laugh," rather than trying to emulate others.

5. Leverage Social Media: Build Your Digital Empire

Social media was popping. Those of us who’d gotten in early and amassed a sizable following had momentum that others entering late couldn’t easily catch.

Early adoption advantage. Jake and Logan were early adopters of platforms like Vine, recognizing its potential for their brand of six-second comedy. This early entry allowed them to build significant momentum, quickly amassing followers and becoming "Vine famous." They understood that consistency was key, making "at least one new Vine every day."

Strategic growth. Their approach wasn't just about creating content; it was about strategic growth. They "posted and reposted" videos on iFunny, created multiple accounts, and actively sought collaborations with bigger Viners like Jérôme Jarre and Max Jr. This cross-platform strategy helped them "explode across social media" and gain millions of followers.

Monetization and influence. What started as a hobby quickly revealed its business potential. Learning from Jérôme Jarre, Jake realized they could "make money from Vine" by integrating products into their content. This transformed their "antics" into a lucrative career, demonstrating the power of social media as a platform for influence and income.

6. The Hollywood Dream: From Hobby to Professional Career

I was ready to conquer Hollywood. Despite being a seventeen-year-old in sweatpants, I was ready to let the industry know that I had arrived.

Taking the leap. Moving to Los Angeles was a pivotal step, a commitment to a "big-picture opportunity" beyond Ohio. Jake arrived with a clear vision: to "conquer Hollywood." He immediately immersed himself in the social media scene, collaborating with top influencers and learning the ropes of the entertainment industry.

Auditioning for success. His transition from Viner to actor involved rigorous acting and improv classes. Auditions were like "buying lottery tickets," often leading to rejection, but he adopted a mindset of learning from each experience. His persistence paid off when he landed the role of Lance in "Dance Camp" and later Dirk in Disney Channel's "Bizaardvark."

Beyond the screen. Jake's Hollywood journey wasn't just about acting; it was about understanding the business. He sought advice from managers, lawyers, and entrepreneurs, realizing that "acting wasn’t a joke. People made it their lives." This comprehensive approach transformed his "dream life" into a structured, professional career.

7. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Build Your Squad

Why don’t you be like Dr. Dre? Sign other people like you and make them famous.

The Dr. Dre blueprint. Inspired by a friend of his dad's, Jake envisioned building a "stable of artists" in social media, much like Dr. Dre did with musicians. He sought talented, young, and engaging individuals to sign, aiming to "blow them up on social media" through collaborations and strategic guidance.

Building Team 10. His first "proof of concept test" involved the Dolan twins, whom he discovered on Vine. He invited them to L.A., taught them "stuff," and helped them "explode across social media," securing their first brand deal. Though they eventually moved on, this experience solidified his vision for Team 10.

Curating talent. Jake continued to build his team, bringing in Alissa Violet, Lucas and Marcus Dobre, and Neels Visser. He helped them grow their platforms, secure brand deals, and understand the commitment required for success. This collaborative environment fostered immense creative energy and demonstrated the power of a unified vision.

8. Learn Continuously: Beyond Traditional Education

I wish high school had fascinated me as much as business. I couldn’t get enough information about it.

Self-directed learning. Despite his struggles and disinterest in traditional schooling, Jake possessed an insatiable curiosity for subjects that genuinely engaged him. He devoured information on business, marketing, and acting, often through unconventional means like "TED Talks and entrepreneurial videos."

Practical application. His learning was always tied to practical application. He taught himself PowerPoint to create "pitch decks" for brand deals and researched how to form his own corporation, 10 Digit Media, at age 18. This hands-on approach allowed him to quickly acquire skills relevant to his burgeoning career.

Mentorship and observation. Jake actively sought out knowledge from experienced professionals, whether it was his dad's businessman friend or industry veterans like Pasquale "Paulo" Rotella. He also learned by observing and collaborating with other successful influencers, absorbing their strategies and techniques.

9. Manage Your Environment: Focus on What Truly Matters

I said to myself, All right, I need to immediately take myself out of this scene. I can’t get caught up in it.

Conscious choices. Upon moving to L.A., Jake quickly realized the importance of managing his environment to stay focused on his goals. Despite living in a "revolving door of strangers and stunt people" and being surrounded by parties, he made conscious choices to prioritize work over distractions.

Avoiding vices. He explicitly states, "I don’t smoke or drink," and chose to leave parties early, even Kendall Jenner's star-studded birthday, because "the next day was a workday for me." This discipline allowed him to wake up early, work harder, and avoid the "time-suck" of a party lifestyle.

Productive spaces. While his apartment was often a "pit," it was also a "studio where we worked and slept," a "hotbed of creativity" where he could always find someone to collaborate with. He learned to adapt his surroundings to facilitate his work, even if it meant a messy living space.

10. Embrace Mistakes: Learn, Grow, and Move Forward

It’s not okay to do bad things to other people. But it is okay to make mistakes, and you will make them as you grow up.

Accountability and growth. Jake openly shares his "really, truly stupid behavior," from egging houses to being an accomplice in iPhone theft. These incidents led to suspensions, community service, and stern lectures from his dad. He acknowledges that he "had some growing up to do" and that "actions have consequences."

Turning setbacks into lessons. Instead of dwelling on his failures, Jake used them as opportunities for self-reflection. The judge's words, "you’re going to think long and hard about ever making another mistake," resonated deeply. He learned to separate himself from negative influences and peer pressure, focusing instead on self-improvement.

Resilience in the face of criticism. When faced with "haters" in high school, Jake initially struggled but ultimately took his mom's advice: "Ignore everything. Ignore them. Concentrate on all the good things you have going for you." This allowed him to "have the last laugh" by continuing to grow his career and prove his worth.

Last updated: August 6, 2025