Hidden Potential by Adam Grant

 

Title: Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater

Author: Adam  Grant

Publisher: Viking

Publication Date: October 24, 2023

Length: 302 Pages

Audible: 7 Hours and 21 Minutes

About the Author
Adam Grant is an organizational psychologist at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of TED’s most popular speakers,
His pioneering research has inspired people to rethink fundamental assumptions about motivation, generosity, creativity, and potential. 

Unlocking Hidden Potential and Achieving Greater Things
Dr. Grant believes the learning process isn't complete when we acquire knowledge. It is complete when we consistently apply that knowledge.

The author focuses on the following three concepts for unlocking hidden potential;

• Build character skills. Become a creature of discomfort - Become a sponge - Become an imperfectionist.
• Set up scaffolding to overcome obstacles. Turn practice into play - Take the roundabout path to progress - Fly by your own bootstraps.
• Build Systems of Opportunity. Design schools to bring out the best in all students - Unearth collective intelligence in teams - Discover uncut gems in job interviews and college applications.

My Thoughts
I listened to this book on Audible (twice) and then printed out the PDF summary sheets that came with the audiobook. I studied the key concepts that were presented and determined which ones I needed to consistently apply to my life.

I want to become a creature of discomfort. I tend to beat myself up when I make a mistake and live the experience over and over again in my mind. This is especially true when I play the piano in public. I have struggled with "stage fright" since I was a child. Dr. Grant suggests that when you expect to stumble, you ruminate about it less and improve more. 

I like the idea of becoming a sponge. Progress hinges on the quality of the information you take in, not on the quantity of information you seek out. I will try to determine what information is absorbed and which should be filtered out. 

I will turn practice into play. I will apply this to my piano practice and my art projects. I will measure my progress over time, not against an opponent. 

I will harness both high and low expectations as motivation. "If ignorant naysayers doubt you, take it as a challenge. Instead of letting them crush your confidence, recognize it as an opportunity to prove them wrong."

There are many interesting concepts in this book but these four ideas really resonate with me. This is an excellent book and the author does a great job reading the audiobook. I have become addicted to Audible and love it more every day.

MY RATING - 5 STARS OUT OF 5

Perfection Handmade Birthday Card

Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you! Dr. Seuss

How old would you be if you didn't know how old you were? Satchel Paige

Let us never know what old age is. Let us know the happiness time brings, not count the years. Ausonius

The way I see it, you should live every day like its your birthday. Paris Hilton

It takes a long time to become young. Pable Picasso

I make more birthday cards than any other kind. I made this card for my daughter's birthday. She is an awesome young woman and I am very proud of her.

This is how I made the card:
I started with a blank 5" by 7" kraft greeting card.

The background patterned paper is "On the Shore Stripe/Dark Blue Paper" by Kaleidoscope (My Mind's Eye, 2006). I found a packet of this lovely coordinating double-sided paper at my favorite thrift shop.

I stitched the different layers of paper together and used a piece of vintage lace for embellishment.

I used the digital stamp "Perfection" from Mo's Digital Pencil. I printed the image on white cardstock and colored it with Copic Sketch markers.

I used three sentiments from the Tim Holtz "Small Talk" pack.

I used my Dymo label maker to make the word "BIRTHDAY" at the bottom of the card.

I finished the card with a Tim Holtz ticket and a green paper clip.

I will enter this card in Mo's Challenge 252 - Anything Goes.

Thank you for taking a look at my card. Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.