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The Subtle Art Of Reaching Your Potential
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.
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SIMILAR ARTICLES & IDEAS:
5
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
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
The questions to ask for success
Ambitious professionals often spend much time thinking about strategies that will enable them to reach greater levels of success. But, despite their accomplishments, they still lack a true sense of...
Managing your career is your responsibility
To define success for yourself, you must take a step back and reassess your career. It starts with acknowledging that managing it is your responsibility.
Taking control requires you to take a fresh look at your behaviour in three areas:
- Knowing yourself
- Excelling at critical tasks
- Demonstrating character and leadership
Knowing yourself and your skills
Taking responsibility for your career starts with an accurate assessment of your current skills.
- Write down your three greatest strengths and your three most significant weaknesses. This requires reflection and seeking the views of people who won't mind telling you the truth. It takes a willingness to confront your weaknesses, fears, and blind spots.
- Figure out what you genuinely enjoy doing. Then ask how well it matches what you currently do. Loving what you do gives you the strength to weather personal setbacks, overcome adversity, face and address your weaknesses, and work long hours required to reach your full potential.