More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
Read between
January 31 - August 26, 2023
Performance Prompts The activities that I currently do that bring me the most meaning are . . . The activities or projects that I should stop doing, because they are not bringing me any sense of meaning, are . . . If I was going to add new activities that bring me more meaning, the first ones I would add would be . . .
“Human excellence is a state of mind.” —Socrates
Perhaps an identity of excellence is just too risky. If you regularly feel bad about yourself because you are underperforming, then naturally you might prefer to avoid self-evaluation.
But this becomes the ultimate irony for underperformers: If they don’t self-monitor more, their performance won’t improve. And yet, if they do
self-monitor more, they’ll have to deal with the inevitable disappointmen...
This highlight has been truncated due to consecutive passage length restrictions.
The goal for all underperformers must be to set new standards, self-monitor more frequently, and learn to become comfortable with taking a hard, u...
This highlight has been truncated due to consecutive passage length restrictions.
Feeling that you have to do something isn’t always comfortable.
Sometimes the fastest way to get back in the game is to expect something from yourself again.
See yourself as a person who loves challenge and go for the big dreams. You are stronger than you think, and the future holds good things for you. Sure, you might fail. Sure, it might be uncomfortable. But what’s the alternative? Holding back? Landing at the tail end of life and feeling that you didn’t give it your all? Trudging through life safely inside your little bubble bored or complacent? Don’t let that be your fate.
When people speak of “grit,” they’re talking about combined passion and perseverance.
Yes, any plunge into the unknown is reckless—but that’s where the treasure lies.
“You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice.” —Bob Marley
“the system” or whoever is putting them down. High performers aren’t driven because they are rebelling or feeling threatened.
They want to do well to serve a purpose they find meaningful—fulfilling a high purpose serves as a positive sort of pressure. Even obligations and difficult-to-meet deadlines—
“Who needs me more right now?”
This kind of familial duty might feel like a ball and chain to many, but meeting such duties also happens to correlate with positive well-being.18
At work, a sense of “doing the right thing” drives positive emotions and performance as well.
to complain less and realize that most of what I “have” to do is in truth a blessing.
I learned that when you have the opportunity to serve, you don’t complain about the effort involved.
as always, serve with excellence. Thanks! —Brendon
“Who needs me on my A game the most right now?”
What is my A game? Have I been bringing it today? What would my A game look like in the next hour or so?
Being on your A game means that you are giving your best effort with full focus on the singular task at hand.
They stand out because they not only deliver exceptional individual performance but also make every person better through their influence.
“Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life.” —Amy Poehler
They are more strategic and consistent in seeking to work with others at or above their level of competence, experience, or overall success.
“Make a conscious effort to surround yourself with positive, nourishing, and uplifting people—people who believe in you, encourage you to go after your dreams, and applaud your victories.” —Jack Canfield
“smile and you’ll get more done” plays true.
Information overload causes demoralization and lower work quality.10
Instead of trying to balance hours, try to balance happiness or progress in your major life arenas.
I’ve found that it is useful to organize life into ten distinct categories: health, family, friends, intimate relationship (partner or marriage), mission/work, finances, adventure, hobby, spirituality, and emotion.
rate their happiness on a scale of 1 through 10 and also write their goals in each of these ten arenas every Sunday night.
You’ll always feel out of balance if you’re doing work that you don’t find engaging and meaningful.
If you want to feel more energized, creative, and effective at work—and still leave work with enough oomph for the “life” part—the ideal breakpoint is to stop your work and give your mind and body a break every forty-five to sixty minutes.
with success comes new opportunities.
Know the big five moves that will take you to your goal, break those moves down into tasks and deadlines, then put them in a calendar.
“Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.” —Pablo Picasso
“Power is of two kinds: One is obtained by the fear of punishment and the other by acts of love.” —Mahatma Gandhi
The first part happens when you ask rather than accuse. The second happens when you work to shape their thoughts and challenge them to rise.
“The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do.” —Kobe Bryant
“Example is leadership.” —Albert Schweitzer
you’ve quit on your dream, and your heart still longs for its achievement, only action will remedy the suffering. It’s never too late to change course.
Continual whining leads to diminishment.
“Don’t complain,” dozens of high performers told me. “Act.”
“Success is giving 100 percent of your effort, body, mind, and soul to the struggle.” —John Wooden
Read The Motivation Manifesto, The Charge, or Life’s Golden Ticket, and
“You should never view your challenges as a disadvantage. Instead, it’s important for you to understand that your experience facing and overcoming adversity is actually one of your biggest advantages.” —Michelle Obama
The struggle I’m now facing is necessary, and it’s summoning me to show up, be strong, and use it to forge a better future for myself and my loved ones.
Even when you feel overwhelmed, choose to go for a walk, focus on your breath, and consider the problem rather than avoid it. Look the problem in the eye and ask, “What is the next right action for me to take right now?” If you aren’t yet ready to take that action, plan. Study. Prepare yourself for when the fog lifts and you are called to lead.
Embrace the suck.
