the way we think about the world has a profound effect on what we do in it. If we cultivate a growth mindset and believe that skills come from struggle, then we are more likely to expose ourselves to the good kind of growth-promoting stress. But the power of mindsets doesn’t stop there. It turns out that our mindset toward stress not only

On average, American workers leave 5 vacation days unused at the end of each and every year. When you add all of this up, as Gallup did in 2014, you find that the typical American workweek is 47 hours, not 40. In other words, American workers are grinding away for almost an entire extra day each and every week. Against this backdrop, it’s by no

“It’s only when you step outside your comfort zone that you grow. Being uncomfortable is the path to personal development and growth. It is the opposite of complacency.”

Skills come from struggle.

Marcora believes that we constantly weigh our perceptions of effort associated with an activity (i.e., how hard something feels) against our motivation to do that activity. When perception of effort is greater than motivation, we slow down or ease up until the two are balanced.

sleep scientists found that a 10-minute nap yields the greatest benefits, though most experts say anything under 30 minutes is effective. Even if you don’t actually experience the sensation of falling asleep, simply closing your eyes can help switch your active brain off, allowing it to recover.

When we create a space in which to practice our craft, it is beneficial to surround ourselves with objects that invite desired actions and eliminate ones that do not.

A little doubt and uncertainty is actually a good thing: It signals that a growth opportunity has emerged.

Across the board, when great performers are doing serious work their bodies and minds are 100 percent there. They are fully engaged in the moment.