Caring deeply makes you vulnerable. Why? Because there's a good chance things don't go exactly your way. But caring deeply is also the key to a rich life.
THREAD: Here are 10 insights I've learned over the last 5 years coaching executives, entrepreneurs, and athletes.
On sustainable success, peak performance, and career advice:
👇👇
Caring deeply makes you vulnerable. Why? Because there's a good chance things don't go exactly your way. But caring deeply is also the key to a rich life.
When you care deeply about something it draws you in. That's the point. You don't need to force some kind of proportionate allocation of your life.
Aim for the self-awareness to PRIORITIZE and CHOOSE how you spend your time and energy.
Expecting to find something where everything clicks from the get go and is all good from there on out is a surefire way to never be happy.
Pursue your interests. Stay curious. Hone a craft. Passion emerges over years, not seconds.
If you develop a mindset, "If I just do this, or just accomplish that, THEN I'll arrive," you're in for trouble. There is no arriving. The human brain didn't evolve for it. Enjoy the process. Be where you are.
Define your values. Craft a life around them. THAT is success.
-Too much of the former not enough of the latter you get injury, illness, burnout.
-Too much of the latter not enough of the former you get complacency, stagnation.
This equation is universal. It holds true for individual and organizational growth.
Books are the best bargain there is. There is no better place to get a deep distillation of insights and wisdom.
I've helped 4-time Olympians move on from sport simply by recommending books. I've helped founders navigate rough waters the same way.
The people with whom you surround yourself shape you. We are all mirrors reflecting onto one another. Ancient wisdom traditions point toward this. Latest research points toward this.
We think too much about individuals, not enough about communities.
If you are a hard-charging, Type-A "pusher," that's great! But you better work on being kind to yourself too.
It is hard to be a human. It is hard to care deeply. You've got to learn to love yourself and create space for your pain.
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"I really want to break into Product Management"
make products.
"If only someone would tell me how I can get a startup to notice me."
Make Products.
"I guess it's impossible and I'll never break into the industry."
MAKE PRODUCTS.
Courtesy of @edbrisson's wonderful thread on breaking into comics – https://t.co/TgNblNSCBj – here is why the same applies to Product Management, too.
There is no better way of learning the craft of product, or proving your potential to employers, than just doing it.
You do not need anybody's permission. We don't have diplomas, nor doctorates. We can barely agree on a single standard of what a Product Manager is supposed to do.
But – there is at least one blindingly obvious industry consensus – a Product Manager makes Products.
And they don't need to be kept at the exact right temperature, given endless resource, or carefully protected in order to do this.
They find their own way.
make products.
"If only someone would tell me how I can get a startup to notice me."
Make Products.
"I guess it's impossible and I'll never break into the industry."
MAKE PRODUCTS.
Courtesy of @edbrisson's wonderful thread on breaking into comics – https://t.co/TgNblNSCBj – here is why the same applies to Product Management, too.
"I really want to break into comics"
— Ed Brisson (@edbrisson) December 4, 2018
make comics.
"If only someone would tell me how I can get an editor to notice me."
Make Comics.
"I guess it's impossible and I'll never break into the industry."
MAKE COMICS.
There is no better way of learning the craft of product, or proving your potential to employers, than just doing it.
You do not need anybody's permission. We don't have diplomas, nor doctorates. We can barely agree on a single standard of what a Product Manager is supposed to do.
But – there is at least one blindingly obvious industry consensus – a Product Manager makes Products.
And they don't need to be kept at the exact right temperature, given endless resource, or carefully protected in order to do this.
They find their own way.
