Win the Day Ch 6

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Questions and Answers

What record did David Blaine famously attempt to break?

Most impressive magic trick

Longest time buried alive

Duration of breath-holding (correct)

Longest underwater stay

How long was David Blaine's first successful breath-holding attempt?

Less than a minute (correct)

Three minutes

A little over a minute

Ten minutes

What physical change did David Blaine undergo in preparation for his breath-holding record?

Lost fifty pounds (correct)

Decreased his lung capacity

Increased his weight

Increased his breathing frequency

What was the purpose of Blaine's morning routine that included holding his breath?

To increase his average breath-holding time Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about David Blaine is true?

He has been buried alive for a week Signup and view all the answers

What critical mistake did David Blaine make during his world record attempt?

He was underwater while handcuffed. Signup and view all the answers

What does Nietzsche's idea of 'the cult of genius' imply?

Only those with extraordinary talent can succeed. Signup and view all the answers

According to Angela Duckworth, what is mythologizing natural talent doing to our perception of success?

It allows people to maintain the status quo. Signup and view all the answers

What does Chambliss conclude about talent and excellence in his study?

Talent alone does not lead to excellence. Signup and view all the answers

What is considered a necessary factor for elite athletes, according to the passage?

Prioritizing recovery and rest as part of training. Signup and view all the answers

What lesson does Phil Mickelson's experience with the 100 Putt Challenge illustrate about achieving success?

Effort and perseverance are crucial for excellence. Signup and view all the answers

How does Horst Schulze's early career reflect the idea of excellence as a habit?

He embraced mundane tasks that built his skill set. Signup and view all the answers

What is intrinsic motivation described as in the content?

The pursuit of personal growth and fulfillment. Signup and view all the answers

What statement best describes Rowdy Gaines' training regimen for competitive swimming?

He trained for years for events that lasted less than a minute. Signup and view all the answers

What is highlighted as more important than talent in the differences observed between Japanese and American students?

Time spent on task and effort. Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what is the primary theme surrounding excellence?

Excellence relies on performing ordinary tasks consistently. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of Michael Phelps' training illustrates the concept of consistency over intensity?

His commitment to long hours of daily practice. Signup and view all the answers

What did Admiral McRaven imply about the significance of small tasks?

Excelling at small tasks is essential for larger success. Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated as the main reason extrinsic motivation may eventually fade?

It is dependent on external validation and rewards. Signup and view all the answers

What conclusion is drawn about Rowdy Gaines' swimming achievements?

His extensive training exemplifies the mundanity of excellence. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Mundanity of Excellence

Excellence is achieved through consistent, diligent effort, not innate talent.
David Blaine's world-record breath-holding feat demonstrates the importance of practice and training over perceived magic. Blaine's approach from average to record-breaking involved rigorous daily breath-holding practice over many months and physical adjustments, notably shedding 50 lbs.
The "cult of genius" mythologizes extraordinary achievement as a result of inherent talent, obscuring the essential role of consistent work, effort, and practice.
Daniel Chambliss's study on Olympic swimmers showed that "talent" doesn't automatically equate to excellence. Emphasis on hard work, discipline and training is key.
Michael Phelps's success highlights the importance of consistent training and effort, and underscores how consistent effort is a key differentiator, even with physical advantages.
Horst Schulze's rise in hospitality, starting from humble beginnings like cleaning ashtrays and washing dishes, illustrates how mundane tasks can form the foundation of outstanding achievements.
Consistency is crucial, surpassing intensity, in achieving excellence. Aligning with this idea, Japanese children often performed more math exercises than American children in a testing study.
"Excellence is mundane" signifies that outstanding accomplishments are built gradually through consistent and correct repetition of smaller, often ordinary, tasks.
The pursuit of excellence necessitates embracing the mundane, repetitive aspects of training, such as Phil Mickelson's unwavering focus and practice to perfect putting.
Intrinsic motivation, driven by personal fulfillment, is crucial for maintaining enduring discipline and effort, especially in the face of obstacles.

Perseverance and the Process of Excellence

Persistence is essential for achieving goals and overcoming initial failures.
It's important to adjust strategies, adapt and continue trying, as opposed to just persisting with the same approach.
Individuals must accept that success often follows numerous attempts and failures. Even the most successful people have failed numerous times before succeeding.
Success is rarely immediate and often requires more effort and time than anticipated.
The example of Pixar's transition from animation software to film production shows how adapting to new challenges leads to success.

False Positives and Negatives

Evaluating achievements requires careful consideration.
False positives occur when something is wrongly judged as successful, while false negatives occur when something is incorrectly judged as a failure.
Examining Beethoven's self-evaluation of his compositions reveals a significant error rate.

The "Little Engine That Could"

The principle of dogged determination and persistent effort in overcoming obstacles is key.
Persistence trumps initial failures, missteps and miscalculations.
Winning comes from repeated attempts and adjustments.
It's essential to continue pursuing goals despite setbacks.

Conclusion

The key to achieving excellence is through continuous, incremental advancements, discipline, and persistent work even when the path appears mundane.
The journey toward excellence emphasizes consistent hard work, consistent effort, adaptation, and persistence as critical components.

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Description

Explore the concept that excellence is a result of consistent effort and practice rather than innate talent. This quiz delves into examples from various fields, including athletics and hospitality, to illustrate how rigorous training and dedication lead to extraordinary achievements. Discover how the myth of the 'cult of genius' oversimplifies the journey to success.