How to be the best at anything

We are all crazy busy these days.

But guess what? It's not good for creativity or for the brain. [READ: How to Work, Love and Play like the Danes]

This is what scientists say:

1. Your brain can stay focused on anything, even an unpleasant task, if it knows it will last only 30 minutes. [TIP: Learn to stretch it to 90 mins?]

2. A positive mood heightens the chances for creative insight, as does taking out time to relax. [Do read: Five Easy Ways to Boost Your Confidence Every Day]

3. Scientists have found that people who take time to daydream score higher on tests of creativity. [These posts will be useful too: How to find peace within and How these Game Changers CHOSE to overcome their pain]

[Image: Picjumbo]

Great Performers Work More Intensely, Take More Breaks

Florida State University psychologist Anders Ericcson's research studied young violinists at the prestigious Academy of Music in Berlin to study what it takes to be the best. These are his path-breaking findings:

1. It takes 10,000 hours of deliberate practice at anything to become an expert.

2. The best violinists not only played more but they practiced more deliberately.

3. They practiced when they were freshest and typically in no more than 90 minute increments for no more than 4 hours a day.

4. The top violinists rested more.

So, what does it take to be the best? It is not just about practice.

It's about deliberate practice at 90 minute increments through the day and taking enough rest.

For me, personally, balancing my priorities within a limited time frame every day is a continual work in progress. I am learning to gradually improve every day.

What helps you to excel at what you do? Is it practice or something more?

[Research Inputs have been quoted from Brigid Schulte's book Work, Love and Play When No one has the Time.]

Comments

Vishnu said…

Good tips here, Swapna. I find rest and doing joyful things to be more conducive to creativity. Exercise and silence also helps for creativity. And you can't underestimate practice and habits to build up a skill - I always had a passion for writing but it didn't improve til I got serious about it. Also, I notice, the more time and effort you put into something, the more results you see. And interestingly, the more creative work you do, the more creative you get!

July 7, 2015 at 10:46 AM

Most LOVED Posts

The Ugly Truth about Caste in Kerala

Many years ago, when I wrote this post on Kerala's caste system, I had not considered that people would start sending in abusive comments about one caste over the other. It baffles me that this is how Indians, all of us, continue to judge each other on account of caste differences. [ READ: Guru Kripa: Powerful Lessons at the Lotus Feet ] My question is - why do you ABUSE any caste or community? I suggest that you read about the lives of great Masters and their stories - none of them judged anyone on the basis of caste. You can read the life stories of Sri Adi Shankara Bhagawadpada, Tulsidas, Jnaneshwar, Namadev, Sri Aurobindo, Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Paramahansa Yogananda, Shirdi Sai Baba, and many more Gurus in Sanathana Dharma. NONE of them endorse these caste hierarchies in Bhakti Marga. Assuming that Guru Sampradaya does not appeal to your sensibilities, do read this new book 'Ants among Elephants' written by Sujatha Gidla, who writes about herself as being bor...

Best time to light diya

Want to know when is the best time to light diya or deepam at home? In most Hindu homes, 'deepam' or 'diya' is lit at least twice - once in the morning and then in the evening. For both times, brass is considered to be auspicious for lighting deepam or lamp at home. Clay diyas are auspicious for lighting at home. On Fridays, it is considered auspicious to use ghee in a silver lamp. READ: Which type of Diya is good for your home What does Deepam represent? Attukal Pongala Story of Shivaji ] When Should I Start Lighting Diyas? The symbolic shift begins from darkess to light. Therefore, in the evenings, light diya before sunset to usher in divine blessings into your home. What is the purpose of lighting a diya? Light dispels darkness. When we light a diya, we bring light into our hopes and positive energy in our personal spaces. Nothing is more beautiful than Light. At what time should we light diya today? Every morning at sunrise and every evening before or at sunset. ...

Does something bad happen if the diya goes off?

Is it bad if a diya goes off? This is a frequently asked question among people who light the evening lamp or diya regularly in their puja room. [READ: How To Light Deepam at Home and Why Malayalis Light Nilavilaku ] [Image by Sachin Yadav @ Pixabay] Why Did My Lamp Suddenly Turn Off? Where there is faith, there should be no scope for fear - this is Bhagawan Krishna's message to Arjun on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. That represents strength of Bhakti. [READ: Bhakti: Meera's Greatest Wealth] Consider another example in the tradition of Bhakti. When Prahlada, a young lad, is targeted by his own father, he remains calm under every situation. When he is thrown into the sea, the wise lad is reminded that the sea is the abode of Shriman Narayana. [ READ: Amazing Stories of Lord Shiva ] H...

Which type of Diya is good for home?

Curious to know which type of diya is good for home? In most Hindu homes, the diya is lit twice a day - once in the morning and thereafter in the evening. For both times, brass is considered to be auspicious for lighting deepam or lamp at home. However, clay diyas are also considered auspicious for lighting at home. [READ: What does Deepam represent? ] For special occasions such as engagement or festivals and on Fridays in particular, silver is considered as a symbol of prosperity, peace and abundance. Lighting a silver lamp is believed to invite Goddess Mahalakshmi's presence into one's home. Other metals such as copper are not usually used for lamps though copper is considered to be ideal for purposes of healing. [ READ: Significance of Om ] Benefits of Lighting Deepam Every Day Light eradicates darkness. We cannot begin to imagine how lighting a deepam brings in more serenity and positivity, not just in our homes, but even in our minds, the way we think and react over small ...

Ayyappanum Koshiyum movie review: Outstanding film! Biju Menon outshines Prithviraj Sukumaran like never before

Ayyappanum Koshiyum movie review: After blockbuster hit 'Seniors', Malayalam film director Sachy is back in full throttle with Prithviraj-Biju Menon starrer 'Ayyappanum Koshiyum' , a thorough and gripping entertainer. [Malayalam movie: Seniors by Sachy - Watch and get back in Campus!] [Image: Prithviraj Sukumaran's Facebook page] With its gripping narrative, crisp dialogues, outstanding performances and haunting BGM that creates a real mood, the film 'Ayyappanum Koshiyum' left me completely spell-bound. Truth be told, I watched it till about 2 AM on Amazon Prime video. Biju Menon and Prithviraj Sukumaran, are outstanding in every scene. Every dialogue and scene between the two actors swings between light-hearted, humorous nuances that take down our society's mask and a blazing, raw intensity that makes you feel deeply for the two warring...

Petals!

Search This Blog