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How Falling Behind Can Get You Ahead

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“Jack of all trades, master of none,” the saying goes. But it is culturally telling that we have chopped off the ending: “…but oftentimes better than master of one.”

In a society hyper-focused on headstarts, we are told to choose our paths early, focus narrowly, and start racking up our 10,000 hours of deliberate practice. But a mountain of research shows that, among people who end up fulfilled and successful, early specialization is the exception, not the rule.

Winding paths and mental meandering can be sources of power, not disadvantages, but we rarely hear those stories. David is trying to change this.

Follow David on @DavidEpstein David Epstein is the author of the #1 New York Times best seller Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World, and of the best seller The Sports Gene.

He was previously a reporter at ProPublica, where his investigations spanned drug cartels to poor medical practices. Prior to that, David was a senior writer at Sports Illustrated, where he wrote or co-wrote many of the magazine’s most high-profile stories, including the 2009 revelation that Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez had used steroids.

David has master’s degrees in environmental science and journalism. He has worked as an ecology researcher in the Arctic, studied geology and astronomy in the Sonoran Desert, and blithely signed up to work on the D-deck of a seismic research vessel shortly after it had been attacked by pirates. He has benefitted from a winding career.

Falling behind can lead to introspection and personal growth.

In today’s fast-paced world, the idea of falling behind can be daunting. We are constantly bombarded with the need to be ahead, to stay at the forefront of our industries, and to constantly reinvent ourselves to keep up with the times. However, what we fail to acknowledge is that sometimes, falling behind can actually get you ahead.

One of the most crucial aspects of falling behind is the opportunity it provides for introspection. When we are constantly rushing to keep up with our peers, we often forget to stop and reflect on our own values and goals. Falling behind can force us to take a step back, reevaluate our priorities, and determine what truly matters to us.

Furthermore, falling behind can also provide us with the chance to learn from our mistakes. In the midst of our constant desire to be ahead, we often forget that mistakes and failures are not just inevitable but also valuable. They provide us with lessons that we can use to fuel our growth and development.

In fact, some of the greatest innovations and breakthroughs in history have come from moments of falling behind. For example, the infamous “Space Race” between the United States and the Soviet Union was initially sparked by the latter’s successful launch of the first satellite, Sputnik. Despite falling behind in the race, the United States ultimately landed on the moon and accomplished what was previously believed to be impossible.

This concept of “falling behind to get ahead” is also applicable in our personal lives. Sometimes, taking a step back from our hectic lifestyles and allowing ourselves to “fall behind” in terms of deadlines, aspirations, or expectations can ultimately lead to greater success.

Of course, this is not to say that we should actively strive to fall behind or become complacent. It is still important to maintain a level of ambition and drive towards our goals. However, we must recognize that falling behind and embracing our mistakes and failures can often be the catalyst for success and growth.

In conclusion, the idea of falling behind may seem frightening, but it is important to remember that it can be a valuable opportunity for introspection, growth, and innovation. Rather than fearing failure, we should embrace it as a crucial part of the learning process and use it to propel us forward. Ultimately, by acknowledging the potential benefits of falling behind, we can pave the way for greater success and achievement in all aspects of our lives.