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The Doing Deficit
Article

The Doing Deficit

How Deliberate Action Outperforms Passive Learning

Anne-Laure Le Cunff
Ness Labs, 2024
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Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • For Beginners
  • Engaging
  • Inspiring

Recommendation

Have you ever read numerous books on a single topic but still felt as though you lacked expertise on the subject? If you try to excel based purely on book smarts, your learning curve will plateau quickly. Neuroscientist Anne-Laure Le Cunff posits that “deliberate action” trumps “passive learning,” yet many people lack the will to act. Le Cunff offers tips to overcome your reluctance to act and outlines how, with dedicated practice, you can excel in your field. 

Summary

The world is suffering not from a knowledge deficit but from a “doing deficit.”

High achievers don’t experience overnight success. Mastery rarely comes from merely reading about a topic. Success accompanies “deliberate action,” a commitment to practice and hone your skills daily.

Nevertheless, many people prefer to accumulate information — taking courses, reading books, and so on — rather than applying their knowledge. Why?

Humans tend to shirk the work required to gain mastery.

Research estimates that attaining an intermediate-level mastery of any skill requires 3,000 hours of deliberate practice. However, deliberate practice involves much more than merely showing up to training sessions and going through the motions; it requires constantly challenging yourself to learn and grow, pushing the boundaries of your ability, and dedicating yourself to mastering the fundamentals before tackling more difficult aspects of the skill.

Alas, many people eschew deliberate practice for three “deeply emotional...

About the Author

Anne-Laure Le Cunff is the founder of Ness Labs, a consultancy that focuses on wellness, creativity, and culture in business. She studies neuroscience at King’s College London.

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