Embracing an organic, long-term learning process is the key to pursuing excellence.
Focusing on depth rather than breadth in learning allows for thematic connections and accelerated growth.
Thriving in chaos and remaining mentally resilient is crucial for success.
Deep dives
Embracing Organic Learning Process
The key to pursuing excellence is to embrace an organic, long-term learning process. Growth often comes at the expense of comfort and safety, but the lessons learned from the pursuit of excellence are more valuable in the long run.
Thematic Learning and Depth Over Breadth
It is more effective to focus on depth rather than breadth in learning. By delving deeply into one topic and understanding its principles, individuals can make thematic connections that accelerate growth and develop a feel for quality. This deep understanding can then be applied in various domains.
Embracing Chaos and Mental Resilience
Being able to thrive in chaos and remain mentally resilient is crucial for success. By training in high-stress situations, learning to be at peace with imperfection, and practicing relaxation and recovery, individuals can perform at their best even in challenging circumstances.
Growth Mindset and Learning from Failure
Having a growth mindset, where intelligence is seen as malleable and developed through effort, is key to growth and learning. Embracing failure as an opportunity to learn and improve, and understanding that intelligence can be developed through hard work, are essential for personal growth and success.
Key Point 1: Growth Mindset
Having a growth mindset is crucial for continuous improvement and lifelong learning. People with a growth mindset understand that every opportunity, including challenges and setbacks, provides a chance to learn and grow. Instead of labeling themselves or others, they focus on the process and outcomes of their efforts. By constantly pushing their boundaries and embracing plateaus as opportunities for growth, they are able to achieve higher levels of success.
Key Point 2: Cultivating Resilience and Discovering Passion
Resilience is a key aspect of learning and achievement, as it enables individuals to handle life's challenges without losing their equanimity or joy. By understanding and making peace with their emotions, harnessing them for higher performance, and remaining fully present in every experience, individuals can maximize their learning potential. Additionally, cultivating a sense of agency and discovering one's passions are crucial for personal development and making a positive impact on the world. Embracing a childlike sense of possibility, curiosity, and a love for discovery can lead to a deeper and more beautiful life.
Josh Waitzkin, author of The Art of Learning: An Inner Journey to Optimal Performance, is an eight-time national chess champion, a two-time world champion in Tai Chi Chuan Push Hands, and the first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under nine-time world champion Marcelo Garcia. This distillation of Josh Waitzkin is the discussion of the learning process and performance psychology, drawing from Josh's experiences in both chess and martial arts. It covers the key themes of Josh's learning process: Unobstructed Self Expression Thematic Learning, Depth over Breadth, Go towards Stress, Tension & Weaknesses, Lifeworks in Oscillation, and the 20 Principles of learning. In addition to Josh's intense competitive life, he is a renowned writer and teacher in the fields of learning and performance psychology.
