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The Subtle Art Of Reaching Your Potential
The 80/20 approach vs. 10,000 hours rule
- The 80/20 method: You can get 80 % proficiency in a subject in about 6 - 12 months.
- The 10,000-hour rule: You can become an expert at something if you spend 10,000 hours of deliberate practice on it.
To go from zero to 80% (good enough) requires a different approach than that needed to get from 80% - 99% (world-class). The last 20% also requires a different level of commitment. For instance, Stephen King spent 6 - 8 hours daily for ten years before he succeeded as a commercial writer.
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Key Ideas
Skill 1 x Skill 2 x Skill 3 = Ability
If you lack a skill, you'll lack ability. If you have a zero anywhere in your equation, no amount of strengths will make up for it.
For instance, in Business, you will need Sales/Marketing, Innovation, Operations, Finance and Management. If you have zero knowledge of any of these, that skill will hold you back.
Look at what the essential skills are in your field. Commit to getting at least competent in them.
The 80/20 approach vs. 10,000 hours rule
- The 80/20 method: You can get 80 % proficiency in a subject in about 6 - 12 months.
- The 10,000-hour rule: You can become an expert at something if you spend 10,000 hours of deliberate practice on it.
To go from zero to 80% (good enough) requires a different approach than that needed to get from 80% - 99% (world-class). The last 20% also requires a different level of commitment. For instance, Stephen King spent 6 - 8 hours daily for ten years before he succeeded as a commercial writer.
The people at the top
The gains disproportionately accrue to people at the top. Stephen King probably sells more books than the rest of his category combined.
Being good at many things probably means that you are at 80% of your potential in all of them. It is not enough to stand out.
Pick a very few things to tackle through the 10,000-hour rule and try and reach 99% of your potential in them.
To be successful at something
- In the top 1 % of a field. This is only possible for a selected few.
- In the top 25 % of two or three extrinsic skills. This is easier to accomplish. Combining two or more things you are pretty good at will make you unique.
SIMILAR ARTICLES & IDEAS:
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Key Ideas
Developing our strengths
Although we usually see our weaknesses as more changeable than our strengths, research shows that we should not focus on improving our weak parts, but to develop our strengths.
Identifying strengths
Try to see your strengths in relation to what energizes you. Something is a strength if:
- it makes you feel successful
- you're drawn to it
- it fully engages you
- after doing that activity, you feel energized and fulfilled.
Ask the people around you
It's difficult for us to see our own strengths, but people around us (friends, coworkers, family members, mentors) will most likely see them clearly.
The goal is to identify things that you wouldn't have thought of on your own—or to find patterns.
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Key Ideas
"I’m a good problem solver"
Focusing on problem-solving implies that a candidate possesses secondary skills including critical thinking, strategic thinking, and leadership.
Demonstrate your problem-solving abilities...
"I’m a good communicator"
Communication encompasses not only speaking skills, but also your ability to lead, critique, and ask for help. Being adept in various communication methods also shows emotional intelligence.
"I have strong time management skills"
Time management is more than just completing tasks on time. An employer cares about how you spend the time leading up to a deadline as well.
Demonstrate your strength in this area by sharing how you prioritize your daily tasks.
Using the 80/20 rule for project prioritization can show how you best schedule your time to give your full attention to critical project tasks.
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Key Ideas
How to recognize your strengths
If you want to excel at anything, it’s not enough to fix your weaknesses. You also need to leverage your strengths.
If you want to recognize your strengths, you need other people to hold up a...
Choose your sources
Identify 10-20 people who know you well from a mix of personal and professional contacts, and ask them to write a story about a time when you were at your best. It is best if the sources are specific with concrete examples.
Spot patterns
Once the feedback arrives, look for the common themes that appear in multiple stories. Make a list of the themes, the key examples that support each theme, and what they suggest about your strengths.
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