Categories

…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.

Becoming a great performer demands the largest investment you will ever make – many years of your life devoted utterly to your goal – and only someone who wants to reach that goal with extraordinary power can make it.

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.