David beats Goliath 30% of the time? Given the opportunity to live on the edge, to focus on things, to think, to discover new things, and have a 30% chance to win while playing by the rules? I would take those odds any day.
But it means:
- You’ve really got to pay attention, you can’t drive through life on autopilot.
- GPS is like autopilot. It won’t help you discover the unknown unknowns (to borrow a phrase from NNTaleb). The only way to do that is to get lost first.
- You can’t work on the easy stuff. Actively seek things that are just slightly out of reach.
- You can’t feel sorry for yourself if you lose. Losing is part of winning.
- Get advice, listen closely but think for yourself, and do it with conviction and deliberation.
- Go out of your way to help others, even strangers. They will help you discover the unknown unknowns, or not.
If I were the praying type, these are the things I would pray for.
