American Newsweek called Adams "the most interesting and influential person on the Internet". Mike Hammer, a management guru, called him "the most outstanding business thinker and observer in the 20th century" and thought that "a Dilbert cartoon contains more truth than a whole shelf of case studies in business schools."
What really made me know Adams was not his Dilbert-although I have known Dilbert for a long time, I have never been interested in him-but on March 24th this year, Wan Weigang got the column "Elite Day Class". On this day's "Elite Day Class", Teacher Wan introduced Tim Ferris' new book "Tools of Giants: Tactics, Habits and Daily Life of Billionaires, Idols and World-class Performing Artists". In this day's class, I introduced the thinking habits and ways of doing things of "masters" in four fields, each of which gave me great inspiration.
Scott Adams, our author today, is the first one introduced by Teacher Wan. After listening to this day's class, I feel that "this Adams is really not simple". I must find it and have a look. After reading this book, I feel that he is "not simple". Let me talk about what Adams's "not simple" is embodied in. Let's talk about it from three aspects.
Now I find that many knowledgeable teachers attach great importance to the concept of "system" when sharing. This concept often corresponds to the "goal". The so-called "goal" means that you do it in order to do it well. If you succeed, you will be rewarded. If you fail, it will be in vain. What we are doing now puts special emphasis on target management and energy management, that is, we should concentrate on completing a specific "goal" and minimize energy input for those things that have nothing to do with the "goal".
Adams' "system" is a constantly changing and fermenting system, which is essentially a global consciousness. At that time, working full-time in Pacific Bell Company, drawing and writing while working, brought him little material return, only about 5% of his salary (lower than the proportion of income brought by consulting business), which had no effect on improving his life. Adams was speechless when his girlfriend asked him why he did it. He only knows that it is part of the "system", so he doesn't care about short-term gains. He wants to develop this "system".
As an enterprise employee, Adams regards writing as a part of the "system". Writing itself does not make money, but it can increase the fame and personal influence of his cartoons. He used his blog as a platform to communicate with comic readers and tried to write in different voices to see which one was more popular with readers.
When his blog readers increased, his writing system developed. Later, the Wall Street Journal heard that his blog was very good and asked him to open a column. As a result, Adams became very popular as soon as he got started. But this is something he never thought of before, and he can't predict it. When the system is established, everything will follow.
Adams has a unique sense of humor and optimism, which is particularly admirable. In the book, Adams described his various "failures", giving people a particularly inspiring feeling. The fourth chapter of this book is called Summary of My Many Failures, which says: "I am glad to admit that I have experienced more failures than anyone I know."
In this chapter, Adams said that he invented the magical rosin bag, failed in the first interview, published his own printed meditation guide, developed computer games, developed psychic experience projects with computer programs, refused rare promotion opportunities, made online videos, designed home delivery services in food supermarkets, invested in Webvan Company, applied for patents on calendars and keyboards, developed Dilbert burritos, and developed "Ninja Wardrobe" ... all these. However, Adams told us, "Everything you want in life is in a huge bubble of failure. The key is how to find these beautiful things."
Our current success studies are all about telling others how to avoid mistakes and how to achieve success at the least cost, so that many entrepreneurs are afraid of failure and the price of failure, so it is difficult to learn from failure and gain growth. Ray Dario, the founder of American Bridgewater Company, said in his book Principles that if you want to be a "shaper", you must learn to "try actively and make mistakes constantly". You should look at failure from the learner's point of view and gain growth from it.
Adams believes that if you want to achieve something, there are probably two choices: the first is that you train your skills to the best level in the world, which is very difficult and only a few people can do it; Another option is that you can choose two skills and practice each skill to the top 25% in the world, which is easier to do. For example, Adams himself. He is not the best painter in the world, but his painting level can reach the top 25%, and his joke writing skills are not the best in the world, but he can also enter the top quarter. Now he combines these two skills to draw Dilbert cartoons, and too few people can do both at the same time. In fact, he also has an advantage (skill) that he has been working in an office for many years and is very familiar with the "office style"! The theme background of Dilbert cartoons is in the office.
This has given me great inspiration, and I am often distressed because I have learned too much. Now, I can combine my thinking methods and skills, psychology and leadership knowledge, effective counseling skills with family education. I may not be the best in any respect, but combining them to improve family efficiency and serve family growth is my specialty.
We always want more choices and feel that more choices will bring satisfaction. Barry schwartz, the author of The Paradox of Choice, tells us that if people have too many choices in life, they will become unhappy. Because any road may make you doubt yourself, you may even reasonably think that the road without choice may be much better. Children always think that toys are in other people's hands. So do adults. Your girlfriend's favorite clothes are always lying in the shopping cart.
Adams said, if you ask me what I was doing at 6: 20 on a Saturday morning in 20 17, I will not hesitate to tell you that I finished the cartoon I was going to draw that week at my desk. The first edition of the Chinese version of this book was published on March 20 16. ) Because I plan to spend this Saturday like this, I never waste my brain cells thinking about what I need to do this day after waking up. I always eat a banana at about 6:05 in the morning, have my first cup of coffee at 6: 10, eat a protein bar, and then start working.
Adams also gave a set of happiness formulas:
Eat correctly;
Exercise;
Adequate sleep;
Imagine a great future (even if you don't believe it will come true);
Strive to achieve a flexible timetable;
Do what you can and make steady progress;
Help others (if you have finished helping yourself);
Reduce daily choices and form daily life.
As far as I know, many successful people like to simplify their lives. You may have seen Zuckerberg's closet and Jobs' living room. They all try to simplify their lives and reduce their choices in order to maximize their creativity. If you want to live a more creative life, you must learn to choose and give up some choices in order to get more choices.
Adams also wrote many insightful views in the book, such as the understanding and practice of affirmative statements, mathematical formulas and skill lists about success, etc. These views are very interesting and enlightening. If you have time, I strongly suggest you find it and read it.