Posts by Ron Friedman
Want to Become a Better Writer? Do This.
Novelist Tom Perrotta has been crafting stories for over thirty years. What’s his advice for becoming a great writer? It’s a simple strategy with some fascinating research to back it up. In many ways, Perrotta’s advice is counterintuitive. It has nothing to do with writing. Instead, he recommends doubling down on reading. “If you don’t…
Read MoreWhy You Need a Private Museum
Andy Warhol collected artwork. David Bowie collected records. Julia Child collected cookbooks. History teaches us that a striking number of top performers appeared naturally drawn to collecting works they admired, long before entering and later dominating their field. Why is collecting outstanding examples so important? Because the first step to achieving mastery is recognizing mastery…
Read MoreWhat Almost Everyone Gets Wrong About Creativity
Creativity doesn’t come from hours of introspection. It comes from blending ideas. Those who actively seek out novelty, embrace curiosity, and plunge down rabbit holes are far more creative than those who shut themselves off from the outside world. When we’re exposed to new ideas and fresh perspectives, we are at our most generative. So…
Read MoreThe Fastest Path to Greatness
It’s not finding your inner strength or practicing for 10,000 hours. It’s something much simpler. Most people have never heard it. But when you try it for yourself, you’ll see just how easy it can be to set ambitious goals, and actually achieve them. So what’s the secret? It’s learning to reverse engineer. It’s the…
Read MoreThe Only Skill that Matters for Getting Ahead
In a world where expertise is a moving target, the ongoing pursuit of knowledge is imperative to getting ahead. Staying on top of new innovations and professional trends is no longer just for go-getters—it’s a basic requirement for staying relevant. The right kind of learning does much more than just help you stay current. It…
Read MoreWhy Practicing for 10,000 Hours Won’t Make You Great
We’re often told that mastery requires one thing above all else: practice. If you want to develop expertise, you need clear objectives, immediate feedback, and lots of repetition. There’s a glaring problem with this formula. You can’t practice an idea you’ve never considered. The best ideas don’t emerge from hours of isolated practice. They’re waiting…
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