Overcoming the Need to Be Exceptional - The School Of Life
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Overcoming the Need to Be Exceptional - The School Of Life
sari and added
It seems odd to look at achievement through this lens, not as the thing the newspapers tell us it is, but – very often – as a species of mental illness. Those who put up the skyscrapers, write the bestselling books, perform on stage, or make partner may, in fact, be the unwell ones. Whereas the characters who – without agony – can bear an ordinary ... See more
The School of Life • Overcoming the Need to Be Exceptional
So if you feel inadequate whenever some form of the “achievement Olympics” comes up, don’t. We live in a society that assesses people by what their lives produce, not what it takes to live them. Inner work is ignored unless it explains some outer work.
David Cain • Most Accomplishments Are Invisible
Supritha S added
The rare people who do become truly exceptional at something do so not because they believe they’re exceptional. On the contrary, they become amazing because they’re obsessed with improvement. And that obsession with improvement stems from an unerring belief that they are, in fact, not that great at all. It’s anti-entitlement.
Mark Manson • The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life (Mark Manson Collection Book 1)
Kaustubh Sule added
.psychology opposing thinking that you are average makes you obsess with improvement and propels you towards may be greatness
I know this is controversial talk and antithetical to the success mantras of the metric obsessed, performative, materialistic, linear, Key Performance Indicator driven world we live in, but someone needs to play the role of the annoying child who questions lazily adhered to and potentially harmful conventions, if only to stress-test them. I mean, w... See more
Thomas J Bevan • On New Year's Resolutions
We feel we have to do something to justify our existence. At school, at work, or as parents in the home we feel like we need to outrun our peers to validate our worth.
Ken Shigematsu • God in My Everything: How an Ancient Rhythm Helps Busy People Enjoy God
We learn early in life that any affiliation—with family and friends, at school or in the workplace—requires proving that we are worthy. We are under pressure to compete with each other, to get ahead, to stand out as intelligent, attractive, capable, powerful, wealthy. Someone is always keeping score.
Tara Brach • Radical Acceptance
