Concentrate on a few important things. These are the things that will give you the most comparative advantage, there are the 20% of the things you do that give you 80% of your success. Figure out what they are and prioritize them.
Ambition plus leisure equals uncommon results. Read, study, work hard, yes. These are very important but you also need to be relaxed. Being in a state of calm allows you to think clearly. Some of the best decisions I made happened when I was journaling, bird-watching, taking a walk, or doing my skincare. Take time to rest and see what ideas naturally come to you.
Expand your 20%. According to Richard Koch, the author of The 80/20 Principle, “80 percent of achievement and happiness takes place in 20 percent of our time…” Recognize this pattern and expand the 20%. That is why when choosing college majors or minors, students choose something related to a subject they love. Out of all the classes you have taken, you end up choosing a major that is related to about 20% of your high school experience because it has brought you the most achievement and success.
Find the right thing to achieve. Don’t spread yourself too thin trying to do everything possible. Find something you want to achieve and put 110% focus on it. This can be something you are skilled at or you enjoy learning. You can also combine two things you love and create your own genre. If you are studying finance and you love arts as well, get good grades in school but also get your foot at every important museum that you can. Choose an art movement and learn everything about it. Slowly and consistently, you’d not only be a finance graduate, but you can also engage with people in the art world who would be fascinated by your interest and knowledge of art, or you might as well work at CHRISTIES or SOTHEBY.
Choose the right people in your life. This is always a controversial thing to say because everyone thinks making friends based on shared values is not genuine. In fact, vetting people before you become friends with them is a safety mechanism. As time goes on you should ask what someone does for a living. You don’t want to be around someone who has skeletons in their cupboard or is doing some illegal runs. Choose people who have the same ideologies, views, and perspectives as you. It builds trust and companionship while you explore the differences you both have. A part of making friends that people don’t talk about is that it has to be mutual. The other person should also be interested in being friends with you. Friends, co-workers, mentors, sponsors, and partners are people who will play a significant role in your life, you will spend a considerable amount of time with them, energy will be shared, ideas will be discussed, and goals will be achieved. Please do these with the right people.
All my ideas expressed here were from reading “The 80/20 principle” by Richard Koch. I recommend everyone to read it. :)
