Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things

Reading and writing are usually best for critical thinking. Listening is ideal for understanding emotions, and doing is better for remembering information.

To encourage trial and error, set a goal for the minimum number of mistakes you want to make per day or per week. When you expect to stumble, you ruminate about it less—and improve more.

Our deepest reserves of resilience come from knowing that other people are counting on us.

When you’re doubting your ability to overcome an obstacle, instead of seeking advice, try giving advice.

Success is more than reaching our goals—it’s living our values. There’s no higher value than aspiring to be better tomorrow than we are today.

Too many people spend their lives being custodians of the past instead of stewards of the future. We worry about making our parents proud when we should be focused on making our children proud.

ambition is the outcome6 you want to attain. Aspiration is the person you hope to become.

Comfort in learning is a paradox. You can’t become truly comfortable with a skill until you’ve practiced it enough to master it. But practicing it before you master it is uncomfortable, so you often avoid it.

The most meaningful form of performance is progress. The ultimate mark of potential is not the height of the peak you’ve reached, but the distance you’ve traveled—and helped others travel.