Dorie Clark, recognized as one of the Top 50 business thinkers globally and the #1 Communication Coach, shares her insights on navigating a long-term career strategy in today's fast-paced world. She emphasizes that it often takes 2-3 years to see progress and a minimum of five years to establish expertise. Dorie advises against constant strategy revisits, instead advocating for patience and consistent effort. Listeners are encouraged to cultivate intrinsic motivation and track their progress to master skills while staying focused on long-term goals.
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insights INSIGHT
Timeframes for Success
Seeing noticeable career progress takes 2-3 years of sustained effort.
Becoming a recognized expert requires at least 5 years of consistent work.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Research and Scope
Research the timelines of others who have achieved your goal.
Realistically scope out the likely commitment required for success.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Handstand Coach Analogy
Jeff Bezos shared a story about learning handstands.
Most people estimate two weeks to learn, but it takes six months of daily practice.
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Monetize Your Expertise, Create Multiple Income Streams, and Thrive
Dorie Clark
In 'Entrepreneurial You', Dorie Clark provides a blueprint for professionals to increase their impact, diversify their revenue streams, and shape their careers. The book is divided into three sections: building your brand, monetizing your expertise, and extending your reach and impact online. Clark shares practical advice, real-world examples, and stories from various entrepreneurs, including her own experiences, to help readers create multiple income streams and achieve financial independence.
Stand out
How to Find Your Breakthrough Idea and Build a Following Around It
Dorie Clark
In 'Stand Out', Dorie Clark provides a practical and accessible guide for becoming a thought leader. The book emphasizes the importance of identifying and developing a unique idea, building an expert niche, and creating a community around your vision. Clark draws on interviews with over fifty thought leaders across various fields, including business, genomics, and urban planning, to illustrate how anyone can achieve success through hard work and the right strategies. The book offers step-by-step advice on leveraging existing networks, communicating your message, and inspiring others to embrace your vision, making it an essential resource for those seeking to make a significant impact in their careers and beyond.
The Long Game
How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World
Dorie Clark
In *The Long Game*, Dorie Clark argues for the importance of long-term thinking in achieving lasting success. The book addresses the relentless pressure in modern culture that pushes individuals toward short-term gains and instant gratification. Clark provides unique principles, frameworks, and vivid stories from her own career and other professionals to help readers apply long-term strategies to their specific situations. The book emphasizes the power of small, consistent actions over time, strategic patience, and the importance of reorienting oneself to see the big picture. It offers practical advice on goal setting, networking, and leveraging time efficiently to transform personal and professional lives[1][3][4].
Reinventing You
Define Your Brand, Imagine Your Future
Dorie Clark
In 'Reinventing You', branding expert Dorie Clark provides a comprehensive guide for professionals looking to advance in their current roles, change jobs, or transition to new fields. The book offers practical advice on identifying transferable skills, building a personal brand, and crafting a narrative that explains career transitions. Clark uses personal stories, interviews, and examples from well-known figures like Mark Zuckerberg, Al Gore, Tim Ferriss, and Seth Godin to illustrate how to think big about professional goals, take control of one's career, and build a reputation that opens doors. The book emphasizes the importance of differentiating oneself, embracing unique strengths, and maintaining a consistent narrative throughout the career journey.
Dorie Clark: The Long Game
Dorie Clark has been named one of the Top 50 business thinkers in the world by Thinkers50, and was recognized as the #1 Communication Coach in the world by the Marshall Goldsmith Leading Global Coaches Awards. She is a consultant and keynote speaker and teaches executive education at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and Columbia Business School.
Dorie is the author of the bestselling books Entrepreneurial You, Reinventing You, and Stand Out which was named the #1 Leadership Book of the Year by Inc. Magazine. She has been described by the New York Times as an “expert at self-reinvention and helping others make changes in their lives.” She is a frequent contributor to Harvard Business Review and is now the author of her latest book, The Long Game: How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World*.
In this conversation, Dorie and I discuss how to win the long game, even when things look bleak today. We examine the typical timelines that most professionals should expect in order to get traction on their work. Plus, we highlight three key questions to ask yourself during the toughest times.
Key Points
It’s often 2-3 years of sustained work before you see noticeable progress.
To become a recognized expert, you should expect at least five years of consistent effort.
People revisit strategy too often when instead they should often continue to follow their action plan.
Even if you end up “losing,” strategize up front how the time and effort you put in is still a win.
When times are toughest, ask three questions:
Why am I doing this?
How has it worked for others?
What do my trusted advisors say?
Resources Mentioned
The Long Game: How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World* by Dorie Clark
Long Game Strategic Thinking Self-Assessment
Interview Notes
Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required).
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