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Creative achievement never came suddenly, even in those cases in which the creator later claimed that it did.

…creative achievement is attained in the same way as other kinds of achievement.

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.

…extrinsic motivation that’s controlling is still detrimental to creativity, but extrinsic motivators that reinforce intrinsic drives can be highly effective.

…most organizations seem to be managed brilliantly for preventing people from performing at high levels.

The weight of the evidence is that the drive to persist in the difficult job of improving, especially in adults, comes mostly from inside.

…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.