I work in research and meet frustrated genuises once in a while. They seem to understand quantum mechanics better than Einstein did. But they never make it to the top. If you need to write a research paper, literally sit down and write it. "My creative spirit wants to be in the lab," they say. I understand, work in the lab is fun. But how will you tell the world about your results if you don't publish them? This attitude stretches beyond writing papers. Shame.
I feel like we are not always all able to help ourselves, I do believe in the power of combining forces, surely a low talent high agency go getter can combine their forces with a frustrated genius and become game changers together?
I have the same philosophy for engineering & the engineers I work with.
If it's not written, then it didn't happen.
I've only been in the industry for 3 years but I keep hounding colleagues to write down how you solve problems & document along the way and not at the end.
Yes! Love this message. The truth is, only high agency people will receive it. It won't resonate with low-agency people and ironically, they're the ones most in need of hearing it.
"No matter how bad things get, a person with high agency can always make a comeback." I would get this printed in front of my bed so I can wake up daily and give myself permission to mess up, lose it all and start from scratch!
I am intrigued by this idea of high agency, especially when combined with Radical Acceptance, which frees even more energy. Add that to flow states and I think one would be unstoppable!
"Because worry feels productive, it gives us the illusion of control, which temporarily alleviates anxiety but increases it long-term.” I think this hits the nail on the head. We feel like we're doing something and making progress but we are only fooling ourselves. Then we freak out when things aren't going the way we expect them to and the cycle repeats.
Agency is difficult for the intelligent who fall back into thinking mode. Those big IQs come at a price. Academics are often failures, hence their attraction to socialism and other low agency philosophies.
This article is a great reminder that thinking and planning have their place, but only action counts.
My own realisation is trial and error works best. Most planning is basically fantasy, a form of mood repair in fact. The illusion of control. It feels productive but often becomes an end in itself
Some people learn early to just throw themselves in and flail around. They don't get embarrassed by failure so they learn faster.
I am not one of them but I am learning. And I believe agency is key. Aiming for high agency is just training yourself to do, to act on the world and not just think about it.
Actively becoming high agency in all areas of your life really is a transformation most of us need. But I do believe it is learnable.
Thanks Tim. I love your straight talking posts. I've worked with guys that have so much potential but are so self destructive due to self doubt or, in some cases, alcohol issues driven by self doubt and frustration. However a lot of women I know, who have the potentia,l tend to convert that potential to positive outcome. They seem to have a way of rising above the self doubt and just getting shit done.
Wow.... that really hit home.... Even though most of us probably know this already.... to see the words succinctly on a digital page just hits differently.
I have been that person that is full of anxiety.... really appreciate your writing.
I liked the post and agree with the main idea, however this sentence looks like it doesn't fit:
"If you don’t choose to be high agency, you run the risk of being a cog in the machine who lives like a robot. Or you may make your way up to being a go-getter, but you’ll always be asking some moron gatekeeper for permission."
According to the chart you attacted, someone without talent cannot make his/her way up to being a go-getter. Talent can be acquired through hard work, sure, but that's not the message here.
I work in research and meet frustrated genuises once in a while. They seem to understand quantum mechanics better than Einstein did. But they never make it to the top. If you need to write a research paper, literally sit down and write it. "My creative spirit wants to be in the lab," they say. I understand, work in the lab is fun. But how will you tell the world about your results if you don't publish them? This attitude stretches beyond writing papers. Shame.
Seen it over and over. Can these geniuses be helped?
They can help themselves the moment they see the missed opportunities. Hope it won't be too late.
I feel like we are not always all able to help ourselves, I do believe in the power of combining forces, surely a low talent high agency go getter can combine their forces with a frustrated genius and become game changers together?
By all means. One condition: They must want to help themselves in the first place.
I want to participate in the challenge!
I have the same philosophy for engineering & the engineers I work with.
If it's not written, then it didn't happen.
I've only been in the industry for 3 years but I keep hounding colleagues to write down how you solve problems & document along the way and not at the end.
Sounds like a solid strategy, Mohammad. Best of luck.
"When we’re resourceful we become unstoppable."
I love this quote and that you laid out in your own fashion stories of how this became true for others and thus yourself! #Nice!
Copy smart people. Agree?
You could do otherwise but than you become other than wise$
Put in the work & learn something. Then, learn some more. Eventually, you'll explode & put the knowledge to action.
What field have you managed to do this in?
Bouncing back from zero to 1 in front of the computer.
Yes! Love this message. The truth is, only high agency people will receive it. It won't resonate with low-agency people and ironically, they're the ones most in need of hearing it.
"No matter how bad things get, a person with high agency can always make a comeback." I would get this printed in front of my bed so I can wake up daily and give myself permission to mess up, lose it all and start from scratch!
Bingo bango, Camille.
good article Tim but the elon hate has yet to subside and for good reason, your glaze is showing.
I believe I am a high agency person, I have had to be. I believe there is always a solution and we can figure it out.
However, I have yet to use this ability to earn a comfortable income.
I am a grandmother, aged 64, with a lot of life yet to live. I am interested in your challenge.
You got this, Teresa!
LFG!!!
Yes please to creating a new revenue stream in one weekend. I’m all in!
I am intrigued by this idea of high agency, especially when combined with Radical Acceptance, which frees even more energy. Add that to flow states and I think one would be unstoppable!
Agree, Tammy!
"Because worry feels productive, it gives us the illusion of control, which temporarily alleviates anxiety but increases it long-term.” I think this hits the nail on the head. We feel like we're doing something and making progress but we are only fooling ourselves. Then we freak out when things aren't going the way we expect them to and the cycle repeats.
The worst energy drain is the "I can't" "I'm not doing enough" "it's not growing fast enough"...
Also the "shoulds".... i should be doing this... I should be doing that. Everyone's path to growth is different.
Agency is difficult for the intelligent who fall back into thinking mode. Those big IQs come at a price. Academics are often failures, hence their attraction to socialism and other low agency philosophies.
This article is a great reminder that thinking and planning have their place, but only action counts.
My own realisation is trial and error works best. Most planning is basically fantasy, a form of mood repair in fact. The illusion of control. It feels productive but often becomes an end in itself
Some people learn early to just throw themselves in and flail around. They don't get embarrassed by failure so they learn faster.
I am not one of them but I am learning. And I believe agency is key. Aiming for high agency is just training yourself to do, to act on the world and not just think about it.
Actively becoming high agency in all areas of your life really is a transformation most of us need. But I do believe it is learnable.
Thanks Tim. I love your straight talking posts. I've worked with guys that have so much potential but are so self destructive due to self doubt or, in some cases, alcohol issues driven by self doubt and frustration. However a lot of women I know, who have the potentia,l tend to convert that potential to positive outcome. They seem to have a way of rising above the self doubt and just getting shit done.
I’ve got some semi-empty weekends! I want to know more about hitting Turbo with high agency. So ready to fail faster and while on the run!
Wow.... that really hit home.... Even though most of us probably know this already.... to see the words succinctly on a digital page just hits differently.
I have been that person that is full of anxiety.... really appreciate your writing.
I’m interested in your high - agency challenge Tim.
Cheers,
David
I liked the post and agree with the main idea, however this sentence looks like it doesn't fit:
"If you don’t choose to be high agency, you run the risk of being a cog in the machine who lives like a robot. Or you may make your way up to being a go-getter, but you’ll always be asking some moron gatekeeper for permission."
According to the chart you attacted, someone without talent cannot make his/her way up to being a go-getter. Talent can be acquired through hard work, sure, but that's not the message here.
Great article Tim. I am also in for the challenge!