@SahilBloom: This idea changed my life (and...
@SahilBloom
43 views
Apr 17, 2024
1
This idea changed my life (and may change yours)...
The Law of Reversed Effort:
The Law of Reversed Effort:
2
In a Zen parable that I love, a martial arts student approaches his teacher and asks, "How long will it take me to master this craft?"
The teacher replies, "10 years."
The teacher replies, "10 years."
3
The student, looking impatient, responds, "I want to master it faster than that. I will work harder than anyone else. I will push myself to practice for many hours every single day. How long will it take then?"
The teacher considers this new information and answers, "20 years."
The teacher considers this new information and answers, "20 years."
4
This story brings to life a concept called the Law of Reversed Effort, coined by author Aldous Huxley:
"The harder we try with the conscious will to do something, the less we shall succeed."
It's easy to find examples from your own life where this concept rings true:
"The harder we try with the conscious will to do something, the less we shall succeed."
It's easy to find examples from your own life where this concept rings true:
5
When you press to try to complete a creative task, you become less creative.
When you actively push to try to find the perfect partner, you rarely find that person.
When you try to force yourself to fall asleep, you stare at the ceiling awake.
When you actively push to try to find the perfect partner, you rarely find that person.
When you try to force yourself to fall asleep, you stare at the ceiling awake.
6
Elite sprinters follow something called the 85% rule:
They try to run at 85% intensity because it keeps them loose, fluid, and effortless.
When they try to run at 100% intensity, their body tenses up and they slow down.
Carl Lewis won 9 Olympic golds with this 85% approach.
They try to run at 85% intensity because it keeps them loose, fluid, and effortless.
When they try to run at 100% intensity, their body tenses up and they slow down.
Carl Lewis won 9 Olympic golds with this 85% approach.
7
The lesson: When you adopt a mindset of balanced effort, you achieve greater heights.
Life is not about pushing to the max at all times—this is a recipe for bad results.
Balance your effort, learn to flow in everything you do.
If you find that headspace, you will thrive.
Life is not about pushing to the max at all times—this is a recipe for bad results.
Balance your effort, learn to flow in everything you do.
If you find that headspace, you will thrive.
8
The Law of Reversed Effort is the key to unlocking your performance potential.
Don't push. Find the flow and win.
If you liked this thread:
1. Follow me @SahilBloom
2. Share the below with your friends
Don't push. Find the flow and win.
If you liked this thread:
1. Follow me @SahilBloom
2. Share the below with your friends
View Tweet
9
The Looking Paradox
You may have to stop looking in order to find what you are looking for.
Have you noticed that when you are looking for something, you rarely find it?
Stop looking—what you’re looking for may just find you.
Applies to love, business, investing, or life...
You may have to stop looking in order to find what you are looking for.
Have you noticed that when you are looking for something, you rarely find it?
Stop looking—what you’re looking for may just find you.
Applies to love, business, investing, or life...
10
“Proficiency and the results of proficiency come only to those who have learned the paradoxical art of doing and not doing, or combining relaxation with activity, of letting go as a person in order that the immanent and transcendent unknown quantity may take hold.”
- Huxley
- Huxley
11
Navy Seals have a saying that is closely related:
"Slow is smooth and smooth is fast."
Always loved that.
"Slow is smooth and smooth is fast."
Always loved that.
12
It's also the reason that the best performers in the world appear effortless in their performances.
Watch this clip of Noah Lyles from a few years ago:
His face is completely loose and relaxed while he is absolutely FLYING. It's amazing to watch.
Watch this clip of Noah Lyles from a few years ago:
His face is completely loose and relaxed while he is absolutely FLYING. It's amazing to watch.