The surprising habits of original thinkers | Adam Grant

🌰 Wisdom in a Nutshell

Essential insights distilled from the video.

1. Recognize and support originals, who drive innovation and change.
2. Moderate procrastination can foster creativity.
3. First mover advantage is overrated; originality requires being different and better.
4. Embrace fear, doubt, and procrastination to foster originality.
5. Choosing alternative options can lead to better job performance and commitment.
6. Embrace vuja de for fresh perspectives and positive impact.

📚 Introduction

In a world that values conformity and quick success, it is important to recognize and support originals who challenge the status quo and take risks. This blog post explores the insights gained from recognizing and supporting originals, the benefits of procrastination for creativity, the myth of the first mover advantage, the power of embracing fear and doubt in the creative process, the impact of internet browser choice on job performance, and the concept of vuja de. By understanding these concepts, we can unlock our own creativity and originality, and create a positive impact in our personal and professional lives.

🔍 Wisdom Unpacked

Delving deeper into the key ideas.

1. Recognize and support originals, who drive innovation and change.

The speaker shares their experience of declining an investment opportunity in Warby Parker due to their slow website launch. However, they realized the importance of recognizing and supporting originals, who are nonconformists and take action to champion new ideas. They have learned three key things about recognizing originals: first, they are often slow to launch, but their ideas are ahead of their time. Second, they are not afraid to take risks and challenge the status quo. Third, they are driven by a passion to make a difference and create something new and better. The speaker emphasizes the need to recognize and support originals, as they are the ones who create change and drive innovation.

2. Moderate procrastination can foster creativity.

Procrastination, often seen as a hindrance to productivity, can actually be beneficial for creativity. Research suggests that moderate procrastinators are more creative than those who rush in or wait until the last minute. This delay allows for the consideration of divergent ideas and the freedom to improvise, leading to unexpected leaps. Many great originals throughout history, such as Leonardo da Vinci and Martin Luther King, Jr., were procrastinators, using this trait to incubate ideas and foster creativity.

3. First mover advantage is overrated; originality requires being different and better.

The concept of being a 'first mover' is often overrated, as it doesn't guarantee success. In fact, a study showed that first movers had a higher failure rate than improvers. Successful companies like Facebook and Google entered the market after improving on existing ideas, proving that being original doesn't require being first. However, doubts and backup plans can indicate a lack of courage to be original.

4. Embrace fear, doubt, and procrastination to foster originality.

Originality is not about being fearless or perfect, but about embracing fear, doubt, and procrastination. It's about generating a large volume of ideas, even if they're bad, as this increases the chances of stumbling upon something truly original. Many original people experience fear and doubt, but they manage it differently. They avoid jumping from step three to step four in the creative process, instead focusing on testing, experimenting, and refining their ideas. They understand that our biggest regrets are not our actions, but our inactions, and that the first few drafts are always imperfect. To be more original, we need to generate more ideas and not dismiss ourselves or others based on fear, doubt, or bad ideas.

5. Choosing alternative options can lead to better job performance and commitment.

A study found that the internet browser you use can predict your job performance and commitment. Firefox and Chrome users significantly outperform internet explorer and Safari users, staying in their jobs 15% longer. This is not due to technical advantages, but rather because Firefox and Chrome users took the initiative to doubt the default and look for a better option. This study shows that being resourceful and open to new options can lead to better outcomes in life.

6. Embrace vuja de for fresh perspectives and positive impact.

Vuja de, a concept of seeing familiar things with fresh eyes, can lead to new insights and creativity. It involves challenging assumptions and exploring alternative perspectives. This mindset can be applied to various aspects of life, including personal growth, relationships, and problem-solving. By embracing vuja de, we can break free from traditional thinking and create positive change in our lives and the world around us.

💡 Actionable Wisdom

Transformative tips to apply and remember.

Embrace your creativity and originality by challenging the status quo, taking calculated risks, and embracing fear and doubt. Generate a large volume of ideas, even if they seem bad at first, as this increases the chances of finding something truly original. Be resourceful and open to new options, both in your personal and professional life. See familiar things with fresh eyes, challenge assumptions, and explore alternative perspectives to foster new insights and creativity.

📽️ Source & Acknowledgment

Link to the source video.

This post summarizes TED's YouTube video titled "The surprising habits of original thinkers | Adam Grant". All credit goes to the original creator. Wisdom In a Nutshell aims to provide you with key insights from top self-improvement videos, fostering personal growth. We strongly encourage you to watch the full video for a deeper understanding and to support the creator.