From Chapter 13 “Efficiency” in Ingredients of Outliers. Put It in Writing One of the best ways to become more efficient in every area of your life is to set goals for yourself. I’m not talking about pipe dreams or bucket lists or wish lists. I’m talking about what are known as S.M.A.R.T. goals, goals which are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound. And they must be written goals. As well-known speaker, consultant, and author Tom Hopkins advises: “An unwritten want is a wish, a dream, a never-happen. The day you put your goal in writing is the day it becomes a … [Read more...]
New Year Tips for 2016 and Update from the Outlier Team
Happy New Years Outliers Family! Can you believe another year has come to end? As students, parents, entrepreneurs, over-achievers or even for the newly reformed slacker, we owe it to ourselves to make this year count. Don’t miss out on all your 2016 has to offer, and the chance to re-evaluate your goals! There will be naysayers, echoing the criticism about this annual practice, but we wouldn’t miss the chance for the world. There’s just something about starting fresh on January one. Even if you have to look at them again in February, and again in June. As a quick aside, if you find you are … [Read more...]
An Unlikely Hero
From Chapter 3, "Persistence, Press on!" in Ingredients of Outliers An Unlikely Hero Chances are you’ve never heard the amazing story of a man named Cliff Young, but he’s a legend half a world away—in Australia, the Land Down Under. The legend began in 1983, as the inaugural foot race from Sydney to Melbourne was about to get underway. It was an ambitious undertaking, covering a distance of 875 kilometers, or more than 540 miles. That’s the equivalent of running nearly 21 complete marathons—in a row! To put it in perspective, that would be similar to running from New York City to … [Read more...]
Happy New Year Outliers!
Happy New Year Outliers! As students, parents, citizens, friends, entrepreneurs, over-achievers or even those who are new at this whole goal setting thing, we owe it to ourselves to make this year count. Don't miss out on all your 2015 has to offer, and the chance to re-evaluate your goals! There will be naysayers, echoing the criticism about this annual practice, but we wouldn't miss the chance for the world. There's just something about starting fresh on January one. Even if you have to look at them again in February, and again in June. Here's an article on 7 simple steps to take for a … [Read more...]
Ingredients of Outliers Summary, by Dr. Douglas Winslow Cooper
What better way to look at your own work than through a fresh set of eyes? We found a summary of the foundational book in the Outlier Series, Ingredients of Outliers, not written by the author, Dr. John Shufeldt, but by another doctor, Douglas Winslow Cooper, PhD. He put the summary together for Asiance magazine, in an article titled, "How to be Outstanding". Check out his synopsis with a few of our instagram photos (follow us at @outlier_series) here: In his recently published The Ingredients of Outliers, physician-lawyer-businessman John Shufeldt, MD, JD, MBA, has written a succinct … [Read more...]
Risk Taking: When to Dismount a Dead Horse
Taking risks is no doubt scary, there is no definite outcome, and there is no guarantee for success. But risk-takers are the people who make history. People who take calculated risks are often the ones who reap extraordinary benefits. Taking risks and failure go hand in hand and you shouldn’t be afraid to do either if you want to set your goals high. When it comes to entrepreneurial ventures, Dr. Shufeldt is the first to admit he has made mistakes, and some ideas have never come to fruition. But trying, and taking that leap of faith is what creates innovation and breakthroughs in … [Read more...]