Comments on: The Pyramid Method: A Simple Strategy For Becoming Exceptionally Good http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/06/03/the-pyramid-method-a-simple-strategy-for-becoming-exceptionally-good/ Demystifying Sustainable Success Sun, 14 Mar 2010 21:25:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: Study Hacks http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/06/03/the-pyramid-method-a-simple-strategy-for-becoming-exceptionally-good/#comment-12487 Study Hacks Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:08:29 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/06/03/the-pyramid-method-a-simple-strategy-for-becoming-exceptionally-good/#comment-12487 <blockquote>But what I’ve done as I’ve honed my own writing skills is created a hierarchy of publishing venues I wanted to get into, with the really basic entry-level journals at the bottom, the ultra-prestigious magazines in the middle, and publishing a book with a respectable publisher at the top.</blockquote> You could consider each such publication target as its own Pyramid venue. As in, "if I can't get one or two articles published in an entry-level journal than I shouldn't be trying prestigious magazines, and if I can't get one or two articles published in a prestigious magazine, I shouldn't be trying to get a book sold", etc.

But what I’ve done as I’ve honed my own writing skills is created a hierarchy of publishing venues I wanted to get into, with the really basic entry-level journals at the bottom, the ultra-prestigious magazines in the middle, and publishing a book with a respectable publisher at the top.

You could consider each such publication target as its own Pyramid venue. As in, “if I can’t get one or two articles published in an entry-level journal than I shouldn’t be trying prestigious magazines, and if I can’t get one or two articles published in a prestigious magazine, I shouldn’t be trying to get a book sold”, etc.

]]> By: Christopher http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/06/03/the-pyramid-method-a-simple-strategy-for-becoming-exceptionally-good/#comment-12484 Christopher Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:57:02 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/06/03/the-pyramid-method-a-simple-strategy-for-becoming-exceptionally-good/#comment-12484 I don't know that it's necessary to pick just one venue. Not everyone wants to <em>be</em> a staff writer. But what I've done as I've honed my own writing skills is created a hierarchy of publishing venues I wanted to get into, with the really basic entry-level journals at the bottom, the ultra-prestigious magazines in the middle, and publishing a book with a respectable publisher at the top. This achieves the same effect as your Pyramid: goals and metrics. (It's helpful to write this list out, rather than simply keeping it in your head.) I'm presently about halfway up my pyramid. I don’t know that it’s necessary to pick just one venue. Not everyone wants to be a staff writer. But what I’ve done as I’ve honed my own writing skills is created a hierarchy of publishing venues I wanted to get into, with the really basic entry-level journals at the bottom, the ultra-prestigious magazines in the middle, and publishing a book with a respectable publisher at the top. This achieves the same effect as your Pyramid: goals and metrics. (It’s helpful to write this list out, rather than simply keeping it in your head.) I’m presently about halfway up my pyramid.

]]> By: Study Hacks Critique | college profiles http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/06/03/the-pyramid-method-a-simple-strategy-for-becoming-exceptionally-good/#comment-9766 Study Hacks Critique | college profiles Fri, 02 Oct 2009 08:31:56 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/06/03/the-pyramid-method-a-simple-strategy-for-becoming-exceptionally-good/#comment-9766 [...] and additional links to proceed.  One of the entries that make a lot of sense is the one about becoming exceptionally good.  Basically, you just have to keep working to become great at what you do so that your skills and [...] […] and additional links to proceed.  One of the entries that make a lot of sense is the one about becoming exceptionally good.  Basically, you just have to keep working to become great at what you do so that your skills and […]

]]> By: On Authority and Empowerment (and even school) « Life is like a Box of Chocolates http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/06/03/the-pyramid-method-a-simple-strategy-for-becoming-exceptionally-good/#comment-9764 On Authority and Empowerment (and even school) « Life is like a Box of Chocolates Thu, 01 Oct 2009 03:06:14 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/06/03/the-pyramid-method-a-simple-strategy-for-becoming-exceptionally-good/#comment-9764 [...] … If you want to do something interesting and rewarding — be it writing a novel, becoming a professor, or growing a successful business — you have to first become exceptional. As Study Hacks readers know, I think Steve Martin put it best when he noted that the key to breaking into a competitive and desirable field is to “become so good, they can’t ignore you.” [link] [...] […] … If you want to do something interesting and rewarding — be it writing a novel, becoming a professor, or growing a successful business — you have to first become exceptional. As Study Hacks readers know, I think Steve Martin put it best when he noted that the key to breaking into a competitive and desirable field is to “become so good, they can’t ignore you.” [link] […]

]]> By: Study Hacks » Blog Archive » The Pyramid Method: A Simple Strategy For Becoming Exceptionally Good « mcX eXperiments http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/06/03/the-pyramid-method-a-simple-strategy-for-becoming-exceptionally-good/#comment-9470 Study Hacks » Blog Archive » The Pyramid Method: A Simple Strategy For Becoming Exceptionally Good « mcX eXperiments Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:45:58 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/06/03/the-pyramid-method-a-simple-strategy-for-becoming-exceptionally-good/#comment-9470 [...] Archive » The Pyramid Method: A Simple Strategy For Becoming Exceptionally Good By mcxperi via [...] […] Archive » The Pyramid Method: A Simple Strategy For Becoming Exceptionally Good By mcxperi via […]

]]> By: Ryan Stephens Marketing » 20 Essential Blog Posts from July 2009 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/06/03/the-pyramid-method-a-simple-strategy-for-becoming-exceptionally-good/#comment-9389 Ryan Stephens Marketing » 20 Essential Blog Posts from July 2009 Sun, 02 Aug 2009 00:36:35 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/06/03/the-pyramid-method-a-simple-strategy-for-becoming-exceptionally-good/#comment-9389 [...] The Pyramid Method: A Simple Strategy For Becoming Exceptionally Good – Cal Newport (Study Hacks) “I think Steve Martin put it best when he noted that the key to breaking into a competitive and desirable field is to “become so good, they can’t ignore you. In other words, there’s no shortcut. If you want the world to pay attention to you, you have to provide a compelling reason. It doesn’t care about your life goals.” [...] […] The Pyramid Method: A Simple Strategy For Becoming Exceptionally Good – Cal Newport (Study Hacks) “I think Steve Martin put it best when he noted that the key to breaking into a competitive and desirable field is to “become so good, they can’t ignore you. In other words, there’s no shortcut. If you want the world to pay attention to you, you have to provide a compelling reason. It doesn’t care about your life goals.” […]

]]> By: Rodrigo http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/06/03/the-pyramid-method-a-simple-strategy-for-becoming-exceptionally-good/#comment-9375 Rodrigo Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:29:17 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/06/03/the-pyramid-method-a-simple-strategy-for-becoming-exceptionally-good/#comment-9375 This story was great. It bring a sense of reality to one's dreams and objectives. An idealist person, per exemple, could benefit from this <em>pragmatic</em> point of view. But there is another question you didn't mention: <em>the situations where not being accepted or changing the paradigms are the reason for success</em>. The great inventers, thinkers, novelists,the Nobel Prize's winners, the geniuses recognized only after death, all of them did great work but they had to stablish a new level of measure that was unpredictable on the present. Sometimes, the rupture meant to ignore the other's opinion. The point is: the Pyramid Method at the extreme point lead to a conformist action and thinking. "Exceptionally Good" maybe means mastering the established skills but then going beyond that. This story was great. It bring a sense of reality to one’s dreams and objectives. An idealist person, per exemple, could benefit from this pragmatic point of view. But there is another question you didn’t mention:

the situations where not being accepted or changing the paradigms are the reason for success.

The great inventers, thinkers, novelists,the Nobel Prize’s winners, the geniuses recognized only after death, all of them did great work but they had to stablish a new level of measure that was unpredictable on the present. Sometimes, the rupture meant to ignore the other’s opinion.

The point is: the Pyramid Method at the extreme point lead to
a conformist action and thinking. “Exceptionally Good” maybe means mastering the established skills but then going beyond that.

]]> By: Study Hacks http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/06/03/the-pyramid-method-a-simple-strategy-for-becoming-exceptionally-good/#comment-9312 Study Hacks Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:28:50 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/06/03/the-pyramid-method-a-simple-strategy-for-becoming-exceptionally-good/#comment-9312 <blockquote>Thank you so much. I am an aspiring rapper myself and this makes sense. I am one that does have the raw talent but needs to develop his skills.</blockquote> Definitely find a venue that will give you honest feedback, and then start putting in the hours. The gulf between talent and career is wide. Fortunately for you, however, only those with the former have a chance of crossing it! <blockquote>Cal, I have a question. What should you do if you have two entirely separate passions? Suppose for a moment that they are totally unconnected and there is no way you could be realy good (i.e. have time to put in the necessary effort) at both. How do you decide which one to really go for?</blockquote> It's possible to Pyramid two things at once. As the commenter above noted, you'll probably soon discover one working better than the other. If you find it hard to keep up the concurrent focus, however, than keep in mind the broader point that "passion" is over-hyped. For the most part, the good feelings toward an activity comes not from some intrinsic connection with your personality, but as the reward for its mastery.

Thank you so much. I am an aspiring rapper myself and this makes sense. I am one that does have the raw talent but needs to develop his skills.

Definitely find a venue that will give you honest feedback, and then start putting in the hours. The gulf between talent and career is wide. Fortunately for you, however, only those with the former have a chance of crossing it!

Cal, I have a question. What should you do if you have two entirely separate passions? Suppose for a moment that they are totally unconnected and there is no way you could be realy good (i.e. have time to put in the necessary effort) at both. How do you decide which one to really go for?

It’s possible to Pyramid two things at once. As the commenter above noted, you’ll probably soon discover one working better than the other. If you find it hard to keep up the concurrent focus, however, than keep in mind the broader point that “passion” is over-hyped. For the most part, the good feelings toward an activity comes not from some intrinsic connection with your personality, but as the reward for its mastery.

]]> By: click click - 21-07-09 | final fashion http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/06/03/the-pyramid-method-a-simple-strategy-for-becoming-exceptionally-good/#comment-9302 click click - 21-07-09 | final fashion Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:30:35 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/06/03/the-pyramid-method-a-simple-strategy-for-becoming-exceptionally-good/#comment-9302 [...] really inspiring post on The Pyramid Method - Study Hacks describes how a friend of his achieved exceptional talent and acclaim by focusing his efforts on [...] […] really inspiring post on The Pyramid Method - Study Hacks describes how a friend of his achieved exceptional talent and acclaim by focusing his efforts on […]

]]> By: Phasor Burn » Blog Archive » Practice Makes Perfect http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/06/03/the-pyramid-method-a-simple-strategy-for-becoming-exceptionally-good/#comment-9298 Phasor Burn » Blog Archive » Practice Makes Perfect Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:34:59 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/06/03/the-pyramid-method-a-simple-strategy-for-becoming-exceptionally-good/#comment-9298 [...] A long, drawn out, way of saying “Practice Makes Perfect” [...] […] A long, drawn out, way of saying “Practice Makes Perfect” […]

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