Think Remarkable

What does it take to live an extraordinary life? Often, it starts with planting seeds of curiosity, nurturing them with perseverance, and redefining success to focus on the impact you have on others.

1. Embrace Curiosity Over Passion

Rather than putting pressure on yourself to find a singular passion early in life, explore a wide range of interests. Passions often emerge over time from a series of diverse experiences. Treat every curiosity as a seed worth planting and nurturing.

Exploring various topics and hobbies can lead you to unexpected opportunities and reveal what truly excites you. Instead of seeking one life-defining purpose, dabble freely and observe which interests deepen over time. By broadening your horizons, you allow life's opportunities to show you a path that may be far richer than a narrow pursuit.

Consider the metaphor of planting acorns: not every acorn becomes a towering oak, but the ones that thrive can change the landscape. Similarly, by pursuing multiple interests, you increase your chances of finding lasting fulfillment. With an open mind, a single chance moment—like meeting an inspiring stranger—might spark a passion that leads to remarkable achievements.

Examples

• Stephen Wolfram’s voracious appetite for books enabled him to excel in physics and mathematics, opening doors to groundbreaking discoveries.
• A random meeting with a world-champion surfer at an Apple Store expanded the author’s network and perspective.
• Derek Sivers’ willingness to accept a humble guitar gig at a pig show eventually led to opportunities for performing over 1,000 circus shows.

2. Apply the Growth Mindset

Believing your abilities can improve with effort transforms how you tackle challenges. With this outlook, struggles become opportunities for learning, not insurmountable barriers.

Adopting a growth mindset means understanding that failure is not final; it's simply a step toward growth. This mindset encourages you to view obstacles as puzzles to solve rather than evidence of inadequacy. When you replace self-doubt with curiosity and persistence, you unlock new ways to achieve your goals.

By valuing learning and embracing change, you remain flexible in the face of setbacks. Whether in education or personal growth, this attitude equips you to adapt and continue moving forward, regardless of external circumstances or temporary failures.

Examples

• Stephen Wolfram taught himself through library books, fostering self-directed learning that led to his scientific breakthroughs.
• Saying “yes” to every opportunity allowed Derek Sivers to build a diverse career, starting with unglamorous gigs.
• Meeting individuals from different walks of life encourages fresh perspectives, as demonstrated by the author’s chance encounter with Leon Panetta.

3. Grit: The Key to Perseverance

Success often boils down to determination and resilience. Grit is the inner drive that helps you stay committed to your goals, even when faced with rejection or challenges.

Grit begins with setting clear goals and making a concrete commitment to pursue them. Writing down your goals transforms vague dreams into actionable plans. By seeing them daily, you stay focused on your desired outcomes. Forming small, consistent routines builds momentum and keeps you moving forward, regardless of how daunting the task feels.

Rejections and roadblocks are not definitive endings—but opportunities to learn and refine your approach. Entrepreneurs and visionaries often face numerous rejections before their ideas take root. The difference between those who succeed and those who don’t? Perseverance in the face of the word "no."

Examples

• Canva CEO Melanie Perkins overcame over 300 investor rejections before securing funding for her platform.
• Writing out goals helps clarify the steps needed to reach them, transforming dreams into achievable targets.
• Daily rituals, such as exercising or meditating, preserve focus and willpower for bigger challenges.

4. Build Meaningful Connections

Open yourself to chance encounters by interacting with a wide variety of people. Every conversation can potentially introduce new ideas or connections that shape your future.

Building a broad network starts with small acts like smiling, listening, and expressing genuine interest in others. Emphasize quality over quantity, focusing on creating meaningful relationships that mutually inspire and support growth. Many life-changing opportunities arise from unexpected conversations with strangers.

These encounters often lead to transformative partnerships or introductions to influential figures. By remaining curious and willing to engage with others, you create fertile ground for collaboration and innovation.

Examples

• The author met Dave Ebert, a renowned shark expert, through an impromptu surfing outing.
• Networking with strangers helped broaden the author’s worldview, as shown in multiple instances with influential personalities.
• Derek Sivers’ willingness to help others in his industry elevated his reputation and led to new business ventures.

5. Learn to Admit “I Don’t Know”

A willingness to admit gaps in your knowledge shows humility and creates openness for growth. Leaders especially benefit from this mindset, empowering their teams to find solutions collaboratively.

Pretending to know everything breeds defensiveness and hinders progress. When you’re honest about what you don’t know, you gain the trust of others while freeing yourself to learn. This vulnerability fosters a growth-oriented environment where collective problem-solving thrives.

Following up on an admission of ignorance with a commitment to learn reaffirms your dedication to growth. Acknowledging uncertainty paves the way for greater understanding and stronger relationships.

Examples

• Leaders who openly state "I don’t know" inspire trust through honesty, setting the stage for collaboration.
• Humility allows leaders to focus on finding answers rather than preserving their reputation.
• Embracing uncertainty inspires teams to rally together during challenging times.

6. Define Success on Your Terms

True satisfaction comes from impact and contribution rather than external rewards like fame or fortune. Defining success personally keeps you grounded in values that genuinely matter.

Society often pushes metrics like wealth or power to determine worth. Yet people who prioritize meaningful contributions live happier, more fulfilling lives. Whether it’s helping others, fostering education, or creating change, basing success on giving back builds an enduring legacy.

Redirecting your focus inward reduces stress from constant comparison. Instead, the satisfaction of meaningful relationships or achievements rooted in service fills your life with deeper joy.

Examples

• Sal Khan’s creation of Khan Academy reflects his definition of success: expanding education globally.
• Leaders who prioritize relationships over personal gain build loyal support networks.
• Pursuing progress for its own sake frees individuals from the endless chase for validation.

7. Prioritize Consistent Routines

Daily habits shape long-term success. Establishing morning rituals sets the tone for focused, productive days.

Routines eliminate decision fatigue, saving mental energy for meaningful tasks. By attaching positive emotions to these habits, such as joy or accomplishment, you create a sustainable source of motivation.

Consistency compounds rewards, turning minor efforts into substantial achievements over time. Even simple rituals, like a brief meditation or reading session, help you align your actions with your overarching goals.

Examples

• Starting the day with a consistent workout routine keeps mental energy focused on upcoming tasks.
• Writing a daily journal reinforces personal goals and gratitude.
• Elon Musk has famously structured his day into fixed increments to maximize productivity.

8. Say “Yes” Early and Often

Opportunities often come disguised as ordinary or seemingly unimportant. Early in your career, adopting a “say yes” mentality can unlock pathways you didn’t realize existed.

Being willing to take on unglamorous tasks shows your adaptability and eagerness to learn. Many successful people started with small jobs that later blossomed into major opportunities.

This openness matters most early in your career when you're defining your trajectory. By experimenting and accepting unpredictable opportunities, you expand your skill set and build confidence.

Examples

• Derek Sivers’ pig-show gig eventually led to major entertainment career opportunities.
• Random encounters and accepting invitations introduced the author to influential figures.
• Joining unfamiliar projects tests your ability to adapt and develop new strengths.

9. Focus on the Long Game

The greatest achievements come from steady, patient effort rather than short-term wins. Real success requires time, endurance, and an outward focus on serving others.

Playing the long game involves prioritizing patience over immediate gratification. When you focus on lasting impact rather than quick rewards, you forge achievements that can endure for years or generations.

Remarkable leaders aim for enduring contributions, not just fleeting accomplishments. They measure success by the lives they touch and the changes they initiate.

Examples

• Leaders known for their quiet perseverance, paired with long-term goals, create lasting legacies.
• Sal Khan’s global mission to educate resonates as a model of the long-game mentality.
• Measured, deliberate steps often outpace hasty actions in achieving sustainable success.

Takeaways

1. Pursue diverse interests and say "yes" to unorthodox opportunities—each one can plant the seeds for future success.
2. Build small, consistent routines that align daily actions with long-term goals to maintain focus and productivity.
3. Redefine success to emphasize contribution, relationships, and impact rather than material gains or external validation.