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3/15/24
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We Tested Our Grit (And Were Humbled Immediately)

My First Million

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- The Grit Scale Test is heralded for its predictive ability for success, surpassing metrics such as SAT scores and high school rank, by evaluating characteristics including one's response to setbacks and continuous goal pursuit.

- The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), despite its widespread use among Fortune 100 companies, faces criticism for reliability issues, with some asserting the results can vary upon retesting, akin to the Forer effect seen in astrology.

- The podcast discusses a success formula involving talent, passion, and hard work, underlining the critical role of grit, as defined by the capacity for perseverance and zeal for long-term goals.

- The business model of the MBTI represents a profitable venture, with practitioners paying for certification and earning from administering the test, pointing to a multi-level marketing dynamic within the industry of personality assessments.

- The willingness to "walk backwards," a metaphor for the readiness to start over and reinvent oneself, is identified as a vital trait for success, contrasting with the preference for settling and avoiding the discomfort of new challenges.

- Speedrunning, the practice of perfecting and swiftly navigating a known path or scenario, is paralleled with business success through repeated application of proven tactics, highlighting the value of expertise and focused improvement in familiar domains.

- Elon Musk is cited as an example of someone embodying the trait of being willing to reinvent oneself, illustrating the potential rewards of taking significant risks and exploring new industries, like moving from internet ventures to space technology.

- The success story of Rx Bar demonstrates the potential of a focused, bootstrap business approach. The founder capitalized on a niche market, the CrossFit community, leading to rapid growth and a significant acquisition by Kellogg without initial external funding.

- The philosophy of "exploit, don't explore," stresses the strategic advantage of deepening existing strengths rather than continually searching for new opportunities. This approach has led to substantial accomplishments for individuals who hone in on what they know and incrementally perfect it.

- Through the contrasting ideas of walking backwards and speedrunning, the podcast underscores the importance of flexibility, mastery, and the ability to adapt or specialize, as key strategies contributing to business and personal success.