“If nature didn't whittle down your network to a smaller number of strongly forged connections, you would never become an adult. You would remain a permanent child, frozen in sensory overload.” — Donald O. Clifton Copy Share Image
“As John Bruer describes in The Myth of the First Three Years, nature has developed three ways for you to learn as an adult: Continue to strengthen your existing synaptic connections (as happens when you perfect a talent with relevant… — Donald O. Clifton Copy Share Image
“The bottom line on skills is this: A skill is designed to make the secrets of the best easily transferable. If you learn a… — Donald O. Clifton Copy Share Image
“Rather, your smartness and your effectiveness depend on how well you capitalize on your strongest connections.” — Donald O. Clifton Copy Share Image
At an early age, you started hearing it: It's a virtue to be "well-rounded." ... They might as well have said : Become as… — Donald O. Clifton Copy Share Image
“The 'big five' factors of personality are neuroticism (which reflects emotional stability), extroversion (seeking the company of others), openness (interest in new experiences, ideas,… — Donald O. Clifton Copy Share Image
“If nature didn't whittle down your network to a smaller number of strongly forged connections, you would never become an adult. You would remain… — Donald O. Clifton Copy Share Image
“Thus, the lesson we should draw from these people is not that each person's talents are infinitely malleable or that they can be anything they want to be if they just apply themselves. Rather, the lesson is that talents, like intelligence, are value neutral. If you want to change your life so that others may benefit from your strengths, then… — Donald O. Clifton Copy Share
“Such questions are labeled 'ipsative,' which means that if in reality you have both, the question makes it impossible for you to show up… — Donald O. Clifton Copy Share Image
“Since each person's talents are enduring, you should spend a great deal of time and money selecting people properly in the first place. This will help mitigate the 'I don't think I have the right talent for the role' problem. Since each person's talents are unique, you should focus performance by legislating outcomes rather than forcing each person into a… — Donald O. Clifton Copy Share
“First, he became aware of it. Many of us don't seem able to take even this step. Second, and most significant, he chose not… — Donald O. Clifton Copy Share Image
“The only possible failure would be never managing to find the right role or the right partners to help you realize that strength.” — Donald O. Clifton Copy Share Image
Each of these strategies-get a little better at it, design a support system, use one of your strongest themes to overwhelm your weakness, find… — Donald O. Clifton Copy Share Image
“The acid test of a strength? The ability is a strength only if you can fathom yourself doing it repeatedly, happily, and successfully.” — Donald O. Clifton Copy Share Image
