Caffeine for the Soul with Michael Neill The Fastest Way to Get Better at Pretty Much Anything
Dec 29, 2025
Michael explores how golf can provide insights into skill acquisition and life lessons. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on what works, using the 'Easiest Swing' concept to improve learning. Shifting from correcting mistakes to reinforcing successes leads to quicker growth. He shares a coaching moment with an actor that reignited enthusiasm through positive reinforcement. Listeners are encouraged to notice what works in any skill and share their progress with the community for accelerated learning.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Teacher Rediscovering Beginner Mind
- Michael Neill describes learning golf while already experienced as a teacher and noticing his own habit of fixing errors.
- He found it hard at first to stop critiquing and instead notice positives, which then sped his improvement.
Cultural Bias Toward Fixing Faults
- Our culture trains us to get better by fixing failures, not by amplifying successes.
- This habitual negativity undermines learning and slows skill acquisition.
Focus On What Works
- Do after each attempt: name two things you liked about it or move on if you can't find any positives.
- Repeat this focus on what works to accelerate skill improvement quickly.