Twofer Tuesday: On Not-So-Blind Luck and the Merits of Distraction
?? Michael Bungay Stanier
Author of *The Coaching Habit* (1 million+ sold), *How to Work with (Almost) Anyone* & more ? I help people unlock greatness: theirs and others' ? #1 thought leader on coaching ?Top rated keynote speaker ? Rhodes Scholar
Check out the first third of my new book The Coaching Habit for free right here. Launch date is February 29.
Happenstance vs. Taking a Chance
Does serendipity simply happen to us or is it something we can bring about in our own lives?
“We can slip into a twisted logic in which we half-believe the penicillin picked Alexander Fleming to be its emissary, or that the moons of Jupiter wanted to be seen by Galileo. But discoveries are products of the human mind.”
Exploring the unknown is a creative act unto itself. Why not set the stage for creativity and discovery? Serendipity may be easier to come upon than you think.
Read: How to Cultivate the Art of Serendipity
Recipe for Success: Focus with a Dash of Distraction
Distraction can be a good thing. We need to stay open to external stimulation so we can be inspired by influences outside our own minds. Many artists and innovators came up with their most brilliant concepts when their regular work was interrupted – say, by an apple falling out of a tree and landing on their head.
But in the everyday scheme of things, it can be necessary to tune out the chatter of colleagues and constant “ping!” of emails to get through our workload.
See where you fall on the distraction spectrum; try New York magazine’s game to find out.
Forge an Unbeatable Lifestyle | Make Every Moment Count | Be Their Inspiration |
8 年Here's to the Day Dreamers Michael Its not what we encounter in front of the blinkers that lead to greatness..its the ideas on the fringe maybe just out of sight things that can only be realised if you have an open mind and dare to dream...In more than one report card at school I was considered a day dreamer..even though my marks (grades) were excellent day dreaming was discouraged..Maybe we should be encouraging day dreaming..