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Excellence in anything is a byproduct of having fun. Fun is a byproduct of understanding. Understanding is a byproduct of going slow. Going slow is a byproduct

Excellence in anything is a byproduct of having fun. Fun is a byproduct of understanding. Understanding is a byproduct of going slow. Going slow is a byproduct of curiosity. Curiosity is a byproduct of saying "I don’t know," of shunning beliefs and attending to what is in front, with zero baggage or impositions of your own—shunning the ego in the moment, moment by moment. Excellence comes when each piece is as equal as any other, when preference is shunned, when space is created to allow what is in the moment, without resistance, without insistence.

duckkg5 1y ago
This is relatable. Once one gets over the frustration of failing and making mistakes (thousands of times in some cases), it becomes fun and easier to stay curious.
smokel 1y ago
I don't think understanding leads to fun in most people. It probably is the case for most people here on Hacker News, but I doubt it's universal.
- Bluestein 1y ago
  It is probably not universal. Whole point, I guess, is it should be (much as excellence itself, by the way...)
- 1718627440 1y ago
  I think it does when the understanding follows couriosity.
ramraj07 1y ago
I've seen a lot of people play cricket and soccer all their lives, they had a metric ton of fun, and im sure I will not put them close to the word excellent in any aspect of their lives. Im not sure any of the statements you made are agreeable in fact.
- kaffekaka 1y ago
  I don't think GP is saying that if something is fun you will become excellent at it. Rather, of you want to excel in anything it is a huge advantage if you enjoy doing it, so try to keep it fun.
fsckboy 1y ago
>Excellence in anything is a byproduct of having fun absolutely not. fun is a byproduct of excellence. do people like playing the piano well? yes. do beginners like taking piano lessons and practicing in between? no. prodigies can enjoy lessons, that's why we have a word for them, they already excel due to some unusual internal wiring
leoh 1y ago
This is great. I agree with another poster in that I don't know that it applies to everyone, but I really relate and think it's an amazing reminder.

duckkg5 1y ago

This is relatable. Once one gets over the frustration of failing and making mistakes (thousands of times in some cases), it becomes fun and easier to stay curious.

smokel 1y ago

I don't think understanding leads to fun in most people. It probably is the case for most people here on Hacker News, but I doubt it's universal.

Bluestein 1y ago
It is probably not universal. Whole point, I guess, is it should be (much as excellence itself, by the way...)
1718627440 1y ago
I think it does when the understanding follows couriosity.

ramraj07 1y ago

I've seen a lot of people play cricket and soccer all their lives, they had a metric ton of fun, and im sure I will not put them close to the word excellent in any aspect of their lives. Im not sure any of the statements you made are agreeable in fact.

kaffekaka 1y ago
I don't think GP is saying that if something is fun you will become excellent at it. Rather, of you want to excel in anything it is a huge advantage if you enjoy doing it, so try to keep it fun.

fsckboy 1y ago

>Excellence in anything is a byproduct of having fun absolutely not. fun is a byproduct of excellence. do people like playing the piano well? yes. do beginners like taking piano lessons and practicing in between? no. prodigies can enjoy lessons, that's why we have a word for them, they already excel due to some unusual internal wiring

leoh 1y ago

This is great. I agree with another poster in that I don't know that it applies to everyone, but I really relate and think it's an amazing reminder.