5 ms·

I’m wondering what the author’s credentials are, since he writes with great confidence and certainty about how there is only a single correct approach to achiev

I’m wondering what the author’s credentials are, since he writes with great confidence and certainty about how there is only a single correct approach to achieving success. The reason I’m wondering is because the text makes a number of claims while citing only a handful of examples. Should Kanye West have stuck to producing music, Elon Musk to developing financial software, George Clooney to acting, Leonardo da Vinci to painting, etc.? A good point regarding the benefits of specialization can be made, but this particular brand of “do what you love” article filled with bold claims and bold text written by twenty-something self-appointed self-help gurus always rubs me the wrong way.

EvilEy3 5y ago
Groan. Because your average Joe is any of the people that you listed.
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]
- mypastself 5y ago
  Neither are Beethoven or Kobe Bryant, which the author cites as examples in favor of his argument.
Blikkentrekker 5y ago
Even auctors of high credentials will often disagree on such matters, and they all have their research that backs up their claim, that would look quite compelling if one would not know that research of a similarly compelling nature exists that proves the antithesis. I gain the impression that fame and credentials in a certain field are the often the product of bias and attempt to support a præconceived conclusion, as that creates sensationalist, opinionated articles that are heavily discussed, whereas “The research at this point is inconclusive and contradictory.” is not something sensationalist articles are easily written with.
iamben 5y ago
There's a line somewhere near the bottom that says: "Once you’ve mastered something and have reached a level of the highest success, you can overlap and begin to take on something else." I don't think you or the author is wrong here, but it's more of a case of giving sufficient attention to something and that thing alone before you attempt the next thing. Kanye just made beats until he was making beats for Jay etc., then dominated with his own records; the fashion successes have only come in the last 3 or so years. Elon cashed out with software a couple of times before the other stuff (which admittedly comes thick and fast - but he has the luxury of people to help now). Clooney was a successful (and wealthy) actor before the entrepreneurial stuff. I don't know enough about da Vinci, but perhaps he was a true multitasking polymath :-) I think every later step is easier when you have past successes (and usually money!) behind you. I'm absolutely sure there are people who can multitask mastery, but my take from the article was for most of us it's better to properly focus on a single something until you reach whatever you define 'success' in that area as before you leverage that into the next thing.
jnxx 5y ago
The author tells something about himself and shares his insights and I think it is valid. It is well-written and worth a read. Everyone might function different, we are all unique and diverse, so make of it what you can. However, I think there are also organizations which are absolutely doing too many unfocused things without clear goals and without doing anything well, and in my experience they are no fun to work with.

EvilEy3 5y ago

Groan. Because your average Joe is any of the people that you listed.

deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
mypastself 5y ago
Neither are Beethoven or Kobe Bryant, which the author cites as examples in favor of his argument.

Blikkentrekker 5y ago

Even auctors of high credentials will often disagree on such matters, and they all have their research that backs up their claim, that would look quite compelling if one would not know that research of a similarly compelling nature exists that proves the antithesis. I gain the impression that fame and credentials in a certain field are the often the product of bias and attempt to support a præconceived conclusion, as that creates sensationalist, opinionated articles that are heavily discussed, whereas “The research at this point is inconclusive and contradictory.” is not something sensationalist articles are easily written with.

iamben 5y ago

There's a line somewhere near the bottom that says: "Once you’ve mastered something and have reached a level of the highest success, you can overlap and begin to take on something else." I don't think you or the author is wrong here, but it's more of a case of giving sufficient attention to something and that thing alone before you attempt the next thing. Kanye just made beats until he was making beats for Jay etc., then dominated with his own records; the fashion successes have only come in the last 3 or so years. Elon cashed out with software a couple of times before the other stuff (which admittedly comes thick and fast - but he has the luxury of people to help now). Clooney was a successful (and wealthy) actor before the entrepreneurial stuff. I don't know enough about da Vinci, but perhaps he was a true multitasking polymath :-) I think every later step is easier when you have past successes (and usually money!) behind you. I'm absolutely sure there are people who can multitask mastery, but my take from the article was for most of us it's better to properly focus on a single something until you reach whatever you define 'success' in that area as before you leverage that into the next thing.

jnxx 5y ago

The author tells something about himself and shares his insights and I think it is valid. It is well-written and worth a read. Everyone might function different, we are all unique and diverse, so make of it what you can. However, I think there are also organizations which are absolutely doing too many unfocused things without clear goals and without doing anything well, and in my experience they are no fun to work with.