Curiosity Drives Deeper Achievement (Image Credits: Images.fastcompany.com)
Performance coach Brad Stulberg, who teaches at the University of Michigan and contributes to The New York Times, presented a roadmap to true greatness in his book The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction in a Chaotic World.
Curiosity Drives Deeper Achievement
Kobe Bryant once explained that he neither loved winning nor hated losing; instead, he played to learn and figure things out.
This mindset shifted focus from outcomes to presence, enabling flow states that external pressures often disrupt. Elite performers distinguished between finite games, with clear winners and endpoints, and infinite ones centered on continuous growth. Crafts like basketball, music, or mechanics became avenues for self-discovery when approached curiously. Robert Pirsig captured this in his reflections on motorcycle maintenance, noting that the practitioner and the practice evolve together toward quality. Such hunger for personal evolution fueled fulfillment more than any trophy.
High Performance Persists Through Discomfort
A seasoned surgeon faced an urgent midnight operation despite exhaustion and mental fog, yet saved a patient’s leg through focused execution.
Current trends suggest people must resolve inner states before acting, but evidence shows otherwise. Acknowledging discomfort without suppression allowed the surgeon to proceed effectively. Action often improved mood, proving excellence emerges not from ideal conditions but from showing up amid adversity. Psychologists term this self-efficacy: the conviction to excel in tough scenarios, backed by research across fields like medicine and sports. Repeated successes in suboptimal states built resilience, freeing individuals from perfectionism. Catastrophizing feelings amplified problems more than the feelings themselves.
True Discipline Outshines Performative Effort
Authentic discipline connected intention to execution without relying on fleeting motivation.
In contrast, superficial versions emphasized bravado over substance. Genuine practice stayed quiet, prioritizing results over applause. Completing tough tasks, even reluctantly, often led to improved well-being afterward. Here’s how they differ:
| Aspect | True Discipline | Fake Discipline |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Consistent action on priorities | Visible displays of toughness |
| Visibility | Low-key and internal | Loud and attention-seeking |
| Outcome | Sustainable progress | Short-term show without depth |
The 48-Hour Rule Keeps Momentum Steady
After victories or setbacks, performers limited emotional processing to 48 hours before resuming work.
This prevented addiction to validation highs or failure lows, which eroded sustained effort. Neurons reinforced unhelpful patterns through rumination. The work’s constancy – blank pages, laps, lessons – reanchored focus on process. Adjusting the timeframe flexibly maintained detachment from results. Returning promptly preserved commitment to craft over transient emotions.
Process Joy Trumps Achievement Highs
Matthew Perry achieved rare dual success in film and television, dated celebrities, and earned millions per episode, yet found it unfulfilling.
The brain’s pursuit drive, fueled by dopamine, outpaced satisfaction from serotonin. This “arrival fallacy” ensnared professionals across industries, from actors to executives. External wins filled no inner voids; true contentment arose from immersion in meaningful pursuits. Perry reflected that fame revealed its limits, a lesson applicable universally. Joy in the ascent, shared with others, defined real excellence.
Key Takeaways
- Cultivate curiosity to stay present and grow infinitely.
- Act through discomfort to build self-efficacy.
- Embrace quiet discipline and limit emotional reactions for endurance.
Sustainable excellence thrives in process devotion, not outcome obsession – what step will you take today? Share your thoughts in the comments.
