TED Talks Daily How little experiments can lead to big success | Emmanuel Acho and David Epstein
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Feb 15, 2025 Join Emmanuel Acho, a former NFL player turned author and TV sports analyst, as he teams up with investigative reporter David Epstein to challenge traditional goal-setting methods. They discuss how rigid goals might impede personal growth, advocating for smaller experiments and flexibility instead. The duo emphasizes intrinsic motivation and the importance of reflection, exploring the balance between ambition and well-being. They also touch on the value of internal fulfillment over external validation in a digital world, highlighting creativity that often thrives under constraints.
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Quad Injury and Goal Abandonment
- Emmanuel Acho tore his quad while running the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
- This incident led him to abandon goal-setting due to the psychological damage it caused.
Goals as Medicine
- Acho believes goals are like prescription medication with undisclosed side effects.
- These side effects can outweigh the value of goals, harming self-esteem and self-efficacy.
Objectives Over Goals
- Focus on objectives without limitations, directing energy in a chosen direction.
- Avoid rigid goals that limit potential and fixate on shortcomings.
