Everyone wants to be successful. The only challenge is knowing how to achieve it. Guy Kawasaki, a well-known entrepreneur and author, has dedicated his career to understanding what makes people successful. In this episode of the podcast, we get together to discuss his latest project, ‘Think Remarkable’, and the lifetime worth of wisdom it distills into 170 pages.
Turning a Successful Podcast Into a Successful Book
Guy knows quite a bit about success, not only from his own but also through the first-hand accounts of many of the world’s most famous names. His podcast, Remarkable People, has been on the air for years and welcomed guests ranging from philanthropist Jane Goodall to industry titan Steve Wozniak. They’ve had a lot to say about their personal journeys creating million-dollar businesses and breaking barriers – 200 hours of discussion that Guy has now condensed into his new project, ‘Think Remarkable‘. It’s broken up into three sections that each focus on a core element of success. The first part, growth, is all about acquiring new skills to level up. The second part is about grit, a.k.a “working your ass off”. Finally comes grace, which is about repaying and opening the door, or keeping the door open for people who follow you.
Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset
Guy has enjoyed the opportunity of speaking with a very broad range of notable successes. And what do Stacey Abrams and Bob Cialdini have in common, you may ask? Two words: a growth mindset.
“Of the 200 people that I interviewed who were remarkable, basically every one of them had a growth mindset. You don’t get to be remarkable if you don’t have a growth mindset.”
A growth mindset is defined as the belief that one’s abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. Individuals with a growth mindset view challenges, failures, and setbacks as opportunities for learning and improvement. They understand that their effort plays a crucial role in their success and are willing to put in the work to achieve their goals.
On the other hand, a fixed mindset is the belief that one’s abilities and intelligence are set in stone and cannot be changed. People with this type of mindset tend to avoid challenges and see failures as proof of their lack of ability. They often rely on their natural talents rather than putting in effort, which can limit their growth and potential.
When Natural Talent Is Limiting
When talking about a growth mindset, many imagine a scenario where someone with limited natural talent works hard and becomes successful. While this is certainly a common occurrence, it’s important to note that even those with natural talent can be limited by a fixed mindset.
Individuals who rely solely on their natural abilities may become complacent and not put in the work necessary for growth. They may also limit themselves by assuming their talent in one area must be explored more than others.
Interests Over Passion
Guy argues something that goes against what many of us feel is the naturally correct thing to do when chasing success. He says passion is actually limiting in the sense it closes our mindset and adds pressure to the pursuit. It’s better to be exploratory with potential paths forward, not selecting them because they seem like the ‘obvious’ choice, and instead treating them as experiments.
“Instead of giving yourself this really high bar of I have to find passion with a capital P, I think you find interests, lowercase i, and interest means you scratch these itches. It may be podcasting, it may be social media, it may be graphics, it may be surfing, it may be photography, who knows?”
The Art of Sampling
Guy’s best advice for those who want to explore potential interests without committing to them wholeheartedly is the concept of sampling. Just like how we try different foods at a buffet before committing to one dish, we can sample different interests and activities without investing all our time and energy into them.
The key is to avoid labeling anything. Don’t ask yourself, “Is this my passion?” but rather, “Do I enjoy doing this? Does it bring me fulfillment and happiness?” By focusing on interests instead of a single all-encompassing passion, we open ourselves up to more possibilities and opportunities. We allow ourselves the freedom to explore and experiment without feeling pressure or disappointment if something doesn’t work out.
The Value of Grit
Remember earlier, when I mentioned Guy’s three phases of achieving success? This is where grit comes into play. If you’re doing things right, the first interests that you take up won’t be inherently easy. Most people decide to quit after the first photography lesson, or the first chapter in that French novel. It’s tough – and it doesn’t get any easier as you move up the ladder.
Grit is what keeps you going when things get tough. It’s also what will set you apart when put up against those who have coasted on talent their whole lives.
“The people who really rise to the top are the ones who are willing to put out the effort. [If] you’ve been treated as this [basketball] prodigy your whole life, you don’t know how to put out effort… you hit the wall because you’re facing people who are also 6’9 dribble with both hands, slam dunk, reverse dunk, you know, 30, 30, 45 footers routinely.”
It always comes down to who’s going to work harder, not who’s the most gifted.
My conversation with Guy Kawasaki has been one of great insight, intellect, and inspiration. His perspective is truly a mosaic of the world’s best success stories – not to mention a compilation of his own experiences in the tech industry, his observations on human behavior, and the lessons he’s learned from his time as an author and speaker. I highly recommend reading his new book, ‘Think Remarkable’, for a full 360-degree understanding of these ideas and philosophy on success.
Enjoy!
FOLLOW GUY:
youtube | twitter | instagram | website
Listen to the Podcast
