Weekly Pulse is content curation and highlights from readings, books, podcasts, insights, ramblings, and other interesting things I discovered and digested during the week.
So, let's go with some discoveries from the week!
#1 - Why do high-IQ people stagnate in their careers?
#2 - On the Slow Productivity of John Wick
#3 - The Craft is the End
#3 - The Craft is the End
#4 - The Business Speed Paradox - Fast and Slow
#5 - Book Notes #78: Smarter, Faster, Better - Charles Duhigg
Why do high-IQ people stagnate in their careers?
Source: Big Think
Author: Kevin Dickinson
Year: 2023
Summary: Success and intelligence don't necessarily go hand in hand, and IQ may not even be the differentiating ability between star performers and everyone else. Emotional intelligence is another form of intelligence that may prove vital for success at work and in life. Emotional intelligence correlates with health, job satisfaction, performance in school, and life satisfaction. The article discusses Daniel Goleman's five pillars of emotional intelligence and ways to cultivate and develop emotional intelligence.
3 Highlights:
"... In fact, despite popular perception, IQ may not even be the differentiating ability between star performers and everyone else. That difference may be found in another form of intelligence: emotional intelligence..."
"... If emotional intelligence is an ability, it could be as simple a matter as practice makes perfect. If emotional intelligence is more in line with a personality trait, then change would require altering not only how you think and behave but also your self-perception. That is a taller order for sure, but research suggests it is possible..."
"... One way to cultivate self-awareness is simply to create space for it in your day. That may include journaling, a mindfulness practice, or simply finding the time to sit with your thoughts and ask questions of yourself. To help you shine a light on your blind spots, ask trusted friends and loved ones for their honest opinion on matters where you may hold biases..."
On the Slow Productivity of John Wick
Source: Cal Newport BlogAuthor: Cal Newport
Year: 2023
Summary: The article discusses how the success of the movie John Wick was the result of a single-minded focus on achieving excellence in action sequences. Director Chad Stahelski captured these sequences in long takes, which required Keanu Reeves to train extensively in martial arts and tactical shooting. This approach to productivity differs from the notion of busyness and multitasking often associated with office jobs. The article raises questions about whether this definition of productivity is the most profitable use of our talents.
3 Highlights:
"... The problem with this plan, of course, is that it required Keanu Reeves to become sufficiently good at judo, jiu-jitsu, and tactical 3-gun shooting so as not to look clumsy for Stahelski’s stable camera. Reeves was game. According to the featurette I watched, to prepare for production, he trained eight hours a day, four months in a row. The effort paid off..."
"... In office jobs, by contrast, productivity remains rooted in notions of busyness and multi-faceted activity. The most productive knowledge workers are those who stay on top of their inboxes and somehow juggle the dozens of obligations, from the small tasks to major projects, hurled in their direction every week..."
"... Are we so sure that the definition of “productive” that defines knowledge work really is the most profitable use of our talents? John Wick may be shallow entertainment, but the story of its success highlights some deep lessons about what the rest of us might be missing in our pursuit of a job well done...."
The Craft is the End
Source: Scott Young Blog
Author: Scott Young
Year: 2021
Summary: The article discusses the philosophy of doing work for the sake of the craft itself and not for the desire for status or recognition. The author highlights the importance of transcending the constant need to be part of an inner circle or a select group that appears successful. Instead, he suggests that the antidote to this drive is to focus on the craft itself by setting higher standards for personal work than those set by an inner ring, leading to a more fulfilling and satisfying journey.
3 Highlights:
"... Suppose you get a master’s degree because you feel like people don’t take you seriously because you don’t have credentials. But you still are looked down upon by people who have a Ph.D. So you get your doctorate. But then you find out that the Ph.D. isn’t what matters but where you went to school, and whether you got tenure, and so on..."
"... Lewis argues that the answer is a craft. If you care about your work—for its own sake—you can transcend the petty status-seeking that surrounds you..."
"... Instead, those who manage to get wholly absorbed in their craft do so because they have higher standards for their work than anyone else expects. Acclaim and fame fail to motivate because that’s too easy, not too hard. The improvement according to an internal sense of quality matters more than whether some inner ring agrees..."
The Business Speed Paradox - Fast and Slow
Source: Article of the Week
In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, organizations find themselves caught in a delicate paradox.
On one hand, they must embrace speed, agility, and innovation to stay competitive and meet the ever-changing demands of customers and markets.
On the other hand, they must ensure stability, sustainability, and long-term viability.
This paradox of fast and slow presents a complex challenge that businesses of all sizes must navigate with finesse and strategic thinking.
Book Notes #78: Smarter, Faster, Better - Charles Duhigg
Source: Book Notes of the Week
Are you looking to enhance your productivity and achieve greater success in both your personal and professional life? If so, then "Smarter, Faster, Better" by Charles Duhigg is the book you need to read.
In this captivating and insightful work, Duhigg explores the science behind productivity and provides practical strategies to help you become more efficient, focused, and effective.
Whether you're a student, entrepreneur, or simply someone seeking self-improvement, this book offers a wealth of knowledge and actionable advice to unlock your full potential.
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