Josh Waitzkin is a child prodigy who achieved world championship in two seemingly disparate fields, chess and Tai Chi. In this book, he argues that there are a few basic principles that can take anyone to the top of their game, whatever it be. It is the assiduous application of these basic principles, he says, that allowed him to excel not once, but twice in two very different fields. He details various strategies and approaches to achieving excellence in your chosen field, largely based around a well structured, cohesive and long term strategy. Below are some of his hints to learn and grow and excel.
I notice that a number of his homilies are to do with common sense, and can be easily applied if one has enough persistence and dedication. Indeed, I have come across many of these suggestions elsewhere, and they make eminent sense. Where i felt this book was lacking was in dealing with roles which are generalist rather than specialist in nature (eg. Management) or when the environment is changing rapidly around you leaving no time for deep, structured and assimilated learning (eg. Current state of financial markets). Nonetheless, some of the principles he espouses should strike a chord in everyone, if only we are able to practise it as assiduously. Here goes:
- Put effort into making the conscious into the unconscious
- Ensure your workstyle is in sync with your personality
- Take time off for renewal (physical and mental – sprint vs. marathon)
- “Entity theorists” do not learn as well as “learning theorists”. Entity theory assumes skills to be fixed, feels safe in mediocrity, avoids challenges, while learning theory suggests skills can evolve, promotes tenacity, seeks challenges and improves long term learning
- All endeavour is a play between knowledge, intuition and creativity
- Dont avoid discomfort, become at peace with it
- Prevent a downward spiral after a serious error (deep breather, splash cold water on face, leave scene temporarily)
- Be process oriented – look for stronger competitors, and win enough to maintain confidence
- Adopt Tai Chi’s goal towards the rest of your life, i.e. its not winning, but just “being”
- Largest obstacle to calm presence is interrupted breathing
- Ego prevents learning. So invest in “loss”
- Putting yourself on the line is more important than trying to be perfect
- Move from expansiveness to potency, large to small, condense external manifestations of technique to something true to essence
- Depth beats breadth
- Turn chaos into advantage (be at peace with imperfection, use imperfection to advantag, constant bouts of inspiration)
- Appreciate simplicity
- Practise routine that you like to put you into flow before you have to do something stressful
- Dont be swept away by emotion, but sit with your thoughts, recognise them and have a tolerance for turbulence which allows you to ride your emotions
- Create emotional conditions that inspire peak performance
Links:
Homepage: www.vixabs.com
Viewings page: Notes
Amazon: The Book
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