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Step Outside Your Comfort Zone and Study Yourself Failing

Joshua Foer

99U, 2011

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Journalist Joshua Foer became interested in skill acquisition when he decided to train for the US Memory Championship, which he won. Through his research, he discovered that experts in various fields all use similar training methods to excel. Foer adroitly explains how you can apply these techniques to hone just about any skill. You may think you’ve peaked, but getAbstract believes Foer’s presentation will convince you that you can go higher.

Take-Aways

People learn a new craft by practicing until it becomes automatic.
You hit the “OK plateau” when you feel comfortable with and competent at your new skill. Once you start performing on autopilot, you’ll no longer improve.
Elite performers in a variety of fields all use similar processes to hone their mastery.

About the Speaker

Journalist Joshua Foer wrote Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything.

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J. L. 8 years ago

Step out of our comfort zone to achieve better results

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