How To Achieve Excellence

Tony Schwartz, author of The Way We’re Working Isn’t Working, has written a concise but insightful piece in the Harvard Business Review about behaviors and habits that contribute to excellence. He says more than talent or genetic inheritance, its hard work and regular practice with well deserved breaks in between that helps a man truly excel.

He explains:

We’ve found, in our work with executives at dozens of organizations, that it’s possible to build any given skill or capacity in the same systematic way we do a muscle: push past your comfort zone, and then rest. Aristotle Will Durant*, commenting on Aristotle, pointed out that the philosopher had it exactly right 2000 years ago: “We are what we repeatedly do.”

According to Schwartz, there are six keys to achieving excellence. They are:

1. Pursue what you love

2. Do the hardest work first

3. Practice intensely

4. Seek expert feedback, in intermittent doses.

5. Take regular renewal breaks

6. Ritualize practice

A worthwhile read, click below to find out more.

Harvard Business Review: “Six Keys to Being Excellent at Anything”