How to Do Great Work

54 snips

Jul 2, 2023

The podcast explores the process of doing great work, choosing the right projects, and the motivations behind producing impressive work. It discusses the challenges of discovering one's work, emphasizes the role of luck, and provides tips for overcoming procrastination. The importance of striving to be the best, cultivating a taste for great work, and being intellectually honest is highlighted. Strategies for generating new ideas, the advantages of planning and taking risks, and the value of doing good work without shortcuts are also explored.

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ADVICE

Pick Work That Fits Aptitude And Obsession

Choose work you have aptitude for, deep interest in, and that allows greatness.
Get to the frontier, notice gaps, and explore promising ones.

ADVICE

Make Yourself A Target For Luck

If unsure what to work on, make yourself a big target for luck by being curious.
Try lots of things, meet people, read books, and optimize for interestingness.

ADVICE

Stay Upwind: Prefer Interesting Options Over Plans

Don't overplan; stay 'upwind' by doing what seems most interesting and preserves future options.
At each stage, choose what gives best options rather than rigid long-term plans.

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In this essay, Paul talks about:

(00:00): Intro

(00:35): Unleashing Your Great Work: Finding Your Passion, Pursuing Curiosity, and Making Discoveries

(04:23): Navigating the Complex Task of Figuring Out What to Work On

(08:19): "The Power of Staying Upwind: Embracing Boldness and Excitement in Pursuit of Great Work"

(09:20): "The Art of Working: Navigating Challenges and Finding Motivation"

(11:51): "The Danger of Per-Project Procrastination: How It Can Derail Your Ambitions"

(12:44): "The Power of Consistency: Unleashing Exponential Growth"

(14:43): "The Power of Undirected Thinking: Unlocking Creative Problem Solving"

(15:31): "Ambition and the Quest for Greatness: Why Striving to Be the Best Matters"

(16:48): Unleashing Your Distinctive Style: Embrace Authenticity and Let Your Work Shine

(17:35): "The Power of Earnestness: Embracing Intellectual Honesty and Informality for Great Work"

(20:17): "Consistency, Confidence, and Elegance: Keys to Great Work"

(22:53): "Unleashing the Power of Original Thinking"

(25:43): Uncovering the Obvious: The Paradox of Discovering New Ideas

(29:25): "Unveiling the Overlooked: Exploring New Ideas by Challenging Cherished Principles"

(30:36): The Importance of Choosing the Right Problems

(32:55): "The Power of Questions: Unearthing Novel Insights"

(35:05): "Starting Small: The Power of Evolution in Creative Endeavors"

(38:01): "Embracing Risk: Unlocking the Power of Uncertainty for Maximum Rewards"

(38:45): "Embracing the Advantages of Youth and Age: Harnessing Energy, Time, Knowledge, and Curiosity"

(40:49): "The Pitfalls of Inexperience and the Truth About Learning in Schools"

(43:04): "Breaking Free: The Power of Self-Driven Success"

(43:33): "Copy with Care: The Power of Emulating in Learning and Creativity"

(46:22): "Visiting the Experts: Boosting Ambition and Self-Confidence in Your Field"

(47:20): "The Importance of Quality Colleagues: How They Impact Your Work and Personal Growth"

(48:48): Nurturing Morale: The Key to Ambitious Projects

(50:50): "Fostering Morale: The Importance of Audience, Relationships, and Self-care in Achieving Greatness"

(52:46): "Finding Your True North: The Power of Curiosity in Choosing Your Path"

(53:36): "The Power of Curiosity: Unlocking the Secrets to Doing Great Work"

(54:12): Outro