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Wanting to achieve mastering of a field, committing to the long, hard work of achieving it, and then intending to innovate – that’s how it happens.

…excellent performers seem to continue achieving at high levels well beyond the point where age-related declines would seem to make that impossible.

…most don’t maintain the intensely focused daily work for the many years necessary to achieve at the highest levels. Whatever they bring into this world, it seems to be a start that shines brilliantly for a time and then usually fades.

…the people who do become top-level achievers are rarely child prodigies.

World-class achievers are driven to improve, but most of them didn’t start out that way.

The story of the great achiever who leaves a wake of anger and betrayal is a common one.

Everyone who has achieved exceptional performance has encountered terrible difficulties along the way. There are no exceptions.

What you really believe about the source of great performance thus becomes the foundation of all you will ever achieve.

The evidence offers no easy assurances. It shows that the price of top-level achievement is extraordinarily high. Perhaps it’s inevitable that not many people will choose to pay it.

…emotional involvement on one side of an issue makes it difficult to achieve the detachment necessary to think up wise ways of meeting the interests of both sides…