From Chapter 13 “Efficiency” in Ingredients of Outliers. Put It in Writing One of the best ways to become more efficient in every area of your life is to set goals for yourself. I’m not talking about pipe dreams or bucket lists or wish lists. I’m talking about what are known as S.M.A.R.T. goals, goals which are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound. And they must be written goals. As well-known speaker, consultant, and author Tom Hopkins advises: “An unwritten want is a wish, a dream, a never-happen. The day you put your goal in writing is the day it becomes a … [Read more...]
How to Find a Mentor: in a Medical Profession and Otherwise!
Mentorship is an invaluable component to any aspiring doctor’s journey. It provides direction in the midst of overwhelming decisions, encouragement when the road gets bumpy, and specific insights into your field of interest. Jessie Koljonen, doctor in the making, shares her experience with mentorship in our upcoming book and eBook series, Outliers in Medicine. Jessie has a background marked with many high achievements: She completed her undergraduate degree in Behavioral Biology at John Hopkins University, and has been involved in numerous medical organizations, building her resume and … [Read more...]
Teen Outlier, Bringing Power and Clean Water through New Invention
What were you doing when you were 17? For many of us, this was a time of both disorientation and discovery, if spending way too much time updating the newest selife on social media, or heading to the nearest party. As for Cynthia Sin Nga Lam, this was a time to innovate the unexpected. This teen took full advantage of the period of cognitive growth by thinking abstractly to solve a problem. Lam was looking for away to help the millions of people lacking access to clean water and electricity. The Australian high school teen developed a device that purifies wastewater and creates power at … [Read more...]
Make-A-Wish Introduces ‘Batkid’
Today’s blog post isn’t just about an outlier, but a whole team of them. They go by the name of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The outliers who are a part of the foundation have made it their mission to grant the wishes of children who have been diagnosed life-threatening illnesses. They have arranged for a young boy to spend a day as a police officer, a young girl to have her own princess ball, a young man to fulfill his dream to become a car designer and more. Miles is five years old. He is battling against leukemia. And, his true hero and idol is Batman. On November 15, Make-A-Wish has … [Read more...]
Remain Calm and Read a Poem
Take a minute out of your busy day to sit back, relax and read this poem featured in "Ingredients of Outliers." The poem, written by English short-story writer and poet Rudyard Kipling, speaks well to what it means to be imperturbable. Maybe we could all take a page out of his book, or rather, a line out of his poem. IF If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too: If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or, … [Read more...]