It’s always amazing how I can find other great stories while reading a book. This time was from a book ,Hidden Potential, by Adam Grant. It’s my second book from him after Think Again. From this Hidden Potential, I’ve found an adventurer, Alice Levin. I watched her TEDx talk and it had me think about goal vs willingness, or Destination vs Journey, as you can read below.
You’ve probably heard countless times about setting goals and chasing them. But why do so many people struggle with this and keep asking for guidance? Instead of simply telling people that goal setting is the key to success, I’ve been wondering if we need a different approach.
Why not start by asking yourself, “Am I open to exploring and discovering?” Life isn’t just a sprint with a finish line. It’s a journey. If you’re not willing to explore, you might miss opportunities, even if they’re right in front of you.
Why not focus on willingness before setting goals?
As we can find from the historical stories, willingness/curiosity to explore and discover instead of setting goals/destinations.
1. Christopher Columbus: Columbus’s voyages to the New World were driven by a sense of curiosity and a willingness to explore the unknown. His openness to new discoveries led to the colonization of the Americas and the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures.
2. Marie Curie: Curie’s groundbreaking work in radioactivity was fueled by her passion for scientific exploration. Her willingness to challenge existing theories and her openness to new ideas led to her discovery of polonium and radium, revolutionizing the field of physics.
3. Steve Jobs: Jobs success at Apple was driven by his relentless pursuit of innovation and his willingness to take risks. His openness to new ideas and technologies led to the creation of groundbreaking products like the Macintosh, the iPod, and the iPhone.
4. Albert Einstein: Einstein’s revolutionary theories of relativity were the result of his deep curiosity about the nature of the universe. His willingness to challenge conventional wisdom and his openness to new ideas led to a paradigm shift in physics.
5. Oprah Winfrey: Winfrey’s rise to fame and fortune was fueled by her willingness to share her personal experiences and her openness to connecting with people from all walks of life. Her ability to empathize and understand others has made her one of the most influential figures in media.
