“Part 9: All the evidence-based advice we found on how to be more successful in any job” by Benjamin Todd

The trouble with self-help advice is that it’s often based on barely any evidence.

For example, how many times have you been told to “think positively” in order to reach your goals? It’s probably the most popular piece of personal guidance, beloved by everyone from high school teachers to bestselling careers experts. One key idea behind the slogan is that if you visualise your ideal future, you’re more likely to get there.

The problem? Recent research found evidence that fantasising about your perfect life actually makes you less likely to make it happen. While it can be pleasant, it appears to reduce motivation because it makes you feel that you’ve already hit those targets.This research is covered in the book Rethinking Positive Thinking by Gabriele Oettingen, published 10 November 2015. You can see a popular summary in The New York Times. Oettingen actually finds that also thinking about how you’re most likely to fail makes you more likely to achieve your goals, so in a sense negative thinking is more effective in this context. However, there are other senses in which positive thinking is helpful.

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Outline:

(04:07) Don’t forget to take care of yourself

(06:29) If helpful, make mental health your top priority

(12:14) Deal with your physical health (not forgetting your back!)

(14:06) Set goals

(14:33) Longer-term goals

(15:48) Goals for the year

(16:26) Learn to prioritise

(17:20) Try out this list of ways to become more productive

(18:54) Sticking to your goals

(19:48) Productivity processes

(23:17) Further reading on productivity

(24:07) Improve your basic social skills

(25:27) Surround yourself with great people

(27:20) Practical tips on how to build connections

(30:56) Consider changing where you live

(30:59) Should you move to the hub of your industry?

(33:17) Or... Should you move to Thailand?

(35:35) Apply scientific research into happiness

(40:06) Use these tips to save more money

(41:53) Learn how to learn

(43:49) Be strategic about how to perform better in your job

(45:25) Use research into decision-making to think better

(49:03) Teach yourself these useful work skills

(49:57) Which skills are best to learn?

(51:46) Here are some lists of skills to consider learning.

(52:52) Which combinations of skills are best?

(54:11) Take these steps to master a field and make creative contributions

(58:48) Work on becoming a better person

(01:02:35) How to be successful: the compounding benefits of investing in yourself

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First published:
April 6th, 2017

Source:
https://80000hours.org/career-guide/how-to-be-successful