One of the most dysfunctional beliefs of successful people is our contempt for simplicity and structure. We believe that we are above needing structure to help us on seemingly simple tasks.
Interpretation
Successful individuals often overlook the importance of simplicity and structure in achieving their goals.
This quote by Marshall Goldsmith highlights a common misconception among successful people: the belief that they can bypass basic structures and simplifications when tackling tasks. It suggests that this contempt for simplicity can lead to dysfunction, indicating that even the most accomplished individuals can benefit from clear guidelines and straightforward approaches to tasks, rather than overcomplicating them.
In practice
In a corporate workshop on productivity, this quote could be used to encourage team members to adopt simpler processes.
Active questions are the alternative to passive questions. There is a huge difference between, 'Do you have clear goals?' and 'Did you do your best to set clear goals for yourself?' The former is trying to determine the employee's state of mind; the latter challenges the employee to describe or defend a course of action.
Treat every piece of advice as a gift or a compliment and simply say, “Thank you.
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There has been a great laziness in my soul. Lots of days I could write songs, but I could also take my $400 and play the slot machines at the riverfront casino.
In the broad light of day mathematicians check their equations and their proofs, leaving no stone unturned in their search for rigour. But, at night, under the full moon, they dream, they float among the stars and wonder at the miracle of the heavens. They are inspired. Without dreams there is no art, no mathematics, no life.
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Nothing has transformed my life more than realizing that it's a waste of time to evaluate my worthiness by weighing the reaction of the people in the stands.
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