Another motivational success story built around a character who overcame obstacles which serves as an example we can hold in our minds: "I too can be an Omar!"
I'd like to see some analysis of failure, some stories about people who worked hard and gave it their all but just didn't get anywhere, or who got derailed by one thing or another and lost their motivation. Of course, who would want to be that example?
In the world of mountaineering there's a famous archive of accident data, Accidents in North American Mountaineering, that's a must-read for anyone contemplating getting into climbing mountains with any seriousness. The stories are many - bad judgment, bad luck, lack of preparation, exceeding one's capabilities, etc. but they're all very informative.
There are many ways to go wrong, and maybe that information is more valuable than examples where everything goes right.
I think looking at success stories is probably more valuable. Failure stories are de-motivating, depressing and reveal a model that might subtly affect how your implement patterns - in subconscious and conscious ways. The human mind is best at following established patterns.
Positive psychology and getting motivated by success stories is one thing, probably universal.
Failure stories are not necessarily de-motivating. I find a good mental energy boost when I read or see 10 ways in which a certain thing went wrong and then coming up with an 11th way that works. Many inventions fall in this category (well known examples: Edison, Wright brothers) I understand not everyone thinks that way naturally.
Just at finding patterns to emulate. The mind seems to work better at replicating something than it does finding what NOT to do. No proof of this just my observation.
Comments
Another motivational success story built around a character who overcame obstacles which serves as an example we can hold in our minds: "I too can be an Omar!"
I'd like to see some analysis of failure, some stories about people who worked hard and gave it their all but just didn't get anywhere, or who got derailed by one thing or another and lost their motivation. Of course, who would want to be that example?
In the world of mountaineering there's a famous archive of accident data, Accidents in North American Mountaineering, that's a must-read for anyone contemplating getting into climbing mountains with any seriousness. The stories are many - bad judgment, bad luck, lack of preparation, exceeding one's capabilities, etc. but they're all very informative.
There are many ways to go wrong, and maybe that information is more valuable than examples where everything goes right.
I think looking at success stories is probably more valuable. Failure stories are de-motivating, depressing and reveal a model that might subtly affect how your implement patterns - in subconscious and conscious ways. The human mind is best at following established patterns.
Failure is far more informative than success. Especially the failures that nobody returns from...
Positive psychology and getting motivated by success stories is one thing, probably universal.
Failure stories are not necessarily de-motivating. I find a good mental energy boost when I read or see 10 ways in which a certain thing went wrong and then coming up with an 11th way that works. Many inventions fall in this category (well known examples: Edison, Wright brothers) I understand not everyone thinks that way naturally.
More valuable for what exactly?
Just at finding patterns to emulate. The mind seems to work better at replicating something than it does finding what NOT to do. No proof of this just my observation.