Desirable Difficulty
Short-term pain for long-term gain. Reading is hard work. Practicing is hard work. Working out can be quite a struggle, but yes, the reward comes after the struggle. I look better and feel better. Because of that, I read even more voraciously and have more stamina to practice (my Swedish).
I’ve always loved reading (still do), and […]
The Best in the World
To be the best in the world means that someone with options and information will choose you. Because your version of “best” matches what they seek, and because you’re in their consideration set (their world). —Seth Godin
So, what this means is that it does NOT mean I’m the best by every measure. It also does not mean […]
Identifying Marks
Harry Potter books. Star Wars movies. Indiana Jones. They have all one thing in common: the peculiarity is specific and consistent. Quoting Godin again:
It’s not duplicative or repetitive. But it rhymes. Just about every frame shows the fingerprints (and idiosyncrasy) of its creators.
I’ve been marinating on this today to identify my own […]
Quotes — “constraints”
“[...] boundaries create a platform for important work.” —Seth Godin on Susan Kare
Generous Work: because we can, not because we’re owed
“Gratitude isn't a problem. But believing we're owed gratitude is a trap.” —Seth Godin, author of “The Practice”
Differentiate
To do generous work, have all three kinds, i.e., quality that meet specs (technical); give the pleasure and comfort one gets from expensive and beautiful things, elite status (luxury); and manifest art (creative magic). I interpret this as […]
Celebrate the Opportunity
Model being positive about our practice and the outcome will take care of itself. There is no need to be a pessimist […]
Useful Feedback, Not Reassurance
Reassurance—while it’s calming—never lasts. Godin says:
There’s never enough reassurance to make up for a lack of commitment to the practice.
Reassurance is short-term. It amplifies attachment. It shifts our focus from pursuing the practice to maneuvering it to ensure success. So—useful feedback, not reassurance. For example, in my Swedish language learning, there is little use if my Sfi teacher just reassures me that I will do great in the language without giving me feedback on where I had made mistakes or how I […]