4199: Does Luck Matter More Than Skill by Cal Newport on Deliberate Practice

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Episode 4199:

Cal Newport explains how luck and skill work together in the pursuit of remarkable work, drawing on Frans Johansson's The Click Moment and Arnold Schwarzenegger's autobiography. He proposes a simple equation in which a project's success is its potential, set by the rarity and value of your skills, multiplied by serendipity you cannot control. The best strategy, he argues, is to become so good they can't ignore you while launching a steady stream of projects, giving luck more chances to strike.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.calnewport.com/blog/2013/01/02/does-luck-matter-more-than-skill/

Quotes to ponder:

"You cannot count on luck or skill to generate remarkable outcomes in isolation."

"Without serendipity, your skill alone might not create the results you crave."

"Pick a small number of things and become so good they can't ignore you."

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