Explore the intriguing concept of forced vs. unforced errors, using sports to shed light on the differences. Discover why successful engineers concentrate on reducing avoidable mistakes, like poor communication and missed deadlines. Learn to identify your own unforced errors and why conducting regular self-audits can enhance your reliability. By focusing on what you can control, you can dramatically improve your career performance.
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insights INSIGHT
Two Types Of Career Errors
Forced errors are mistakes caused by chance or situations outside your control.
Unforced errors are avoidable mistakes resulting from lack of attention or care.
insights INSIGHT
Forced Errors Are Largely Shared
Forced errors happen to everyone and often stem from randomness or circumstances.
Trying to control forced errors (like betting on a company's success) gives you little individual leverage.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Prioritize What You Can Control
Focus on reducing unforced errors because they are within your control.
Improve fundamentals and predictable habits to lower your overall risk of failure.
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In this episode, we introduce a simple yet powerful mental model from the world of sports: forced vs. unforced errors. By understanding this concept, you can shift your focus from things outside your control to the simple, foundational behaviours that truly define a successful career.
Understand the Difference: Learn the distinction between forced errors—mistakes caused by chance, situation, or randomness that are hard to prevent—and unforced errors, which are avoidable blunders resulting from a lack of attention or care.
Focus on What You Control: Discover why the most successful engineers prioritise reducing their unforced errors. While most people worry about hard-to-predict "forced errors," top performers concentrate on the fundamentals they can directly influence.
Identify Your Unforced Errors: Recognise common unforced errors in your career, such as not testing your work, being late for meetings, erratic communication, or posting unprofessional content online. These simple mistakes can significantly impact your career over time.
Conduct a Self-Audit: Learn the value of regularly performing a "self-audit" to identify and correct the simple, common-sense things you may be failing at. By improving in these areas, you can dramatically increase your reliability and competitiveness.
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