What’s the Key to Success in Life? Dr. Angela Lee Duckworth Explains [Video]
In this brief TedTalk (approx. 6 minutes), psychology researcher Angela Lee Duckworth explains her theory of “grit” as a key predictor of success in life.
“In all those very different contexts, one characteristic emerged as a significant predictor of success. And it wasn’t social intelligence. It wasn’t good looks, physical health, and it wasn’t IQ.
“It was grit.
“Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals. Grit is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your future, day-in, day-out. Not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years. And working really hard to make that future a reality.
“Grit is living life like it’s a marathon, not a sprint.”
Steve Jobs on Focus and Innovation
Image via Wikipedia
“Just get rid of the crappy stuff and focus on the good stuff … People think focus means saying yes to the thing you’ve got to focus on. But that’s not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully. I’m actually as proud of the things we haven’t done as the things I have done. Innovation is saying ‘no’ to 1,000 things.”
Steve Jobs
Why Are Your Unhappy? (Wei Wu Wei)
“Why are you unhappy?
Because 99.9 per cent
Of everything you think,
And of everything you do,
Is for yourself —
And there isn’t one.”
From Ask The Awakened by Wei Wu Wei
How to Change Your Life; 30 Days at a Time
In this short TedTalk (approx 3 minutes), Google’s Matt Cutts shares how small, sustainable changes are the secret to changing your life for good.
What To Do When You Feel Stuck
For the most part, I’ve lived by the maxim that says if you don’t like something in your life, change it. Don’t complain about it. Don’t blame someone else for it, and don’t merely tolerate it. Instead, get busy, and get to work doing all you can to change it. It’s a strategy that’s paid off for me time and again, and I highly recommend it for most of the troubles life sends your way.
Tchaikovsky on Work-Ethic and Creative Inspiration
“We must always work, and a self-respecting artist must not fold his hands on the pretext that he is not in the mood. If we wait for the mood, without endeavoring to meet it half-way, we easily become indolent and apathetic. We must be patient, and believe that inspiration will come to those who can master their disinclination.”
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Ira Glass on the Secret to Doing Great Creative Work
No matter what creative field you’re in, I have no doubt you’ll be inspired by these words from Ira Glass, the host and producer of This American Life.
Daniel Pink on Motivation and Excellence
“Those artists who pursued their painting and sculpture more for the pleasure of the activity itself than for extrinsic rewards have produced art that has been socially recognized as superior … It is those who are least motivated to pursue extrinsic rewards who eventually receive them.”
Daniel Pink, Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us
The Healing Power of Self-Compassion
“This isn’t working,” said the voice inside my head. “You’re not doing it right. If you paint over it now, it’s just gonna peel again in a year or two, and you’ll have to repaint it. You’re wasting your time.”
“You’re right,” I thought. “I’m really frustrated, and I just want to quit.”
Maya Angelou on Writing
“What I try to do is write. I may write for two weeks ‘the cat sat on the mat, that is that, not a rat.’ And it might be just the most boring and awful stuff. But I try. When I’m writing, I write. And then it’s as if the muse is convinced that I’m serious and says, ‘Okay. Okay. I’ll come.’”
Maya Angelou