Study Hacks » Blog Archive » The Steve Martin Method: A Master Comedian's Advice for Becoming Famous

Some worthy advice from comedian Steve Martin via Cal Newport at Study Hacks. 

Study Hacks » Blog Archive » The Steve Martin Method: A Master Comedian's Advice for Becoming Famous

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  The Steve Martin Method
  
  
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    “Be so good they can’t ignore you.”
    
    
    
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    Forget all the frustration, the tricks, and the worry. Just focus on becoming good. Really damn good. Outstanding. Unlike anyone who has come before you.
    
    
    
    
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    Martin’s Two Pieces of Advice for Applying the Method
    
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      Martin Tip #1: Intellectualize.
      
      
      
      
    
    
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    This restless urge to understand then innovate led him to be outstanding.
    
    
    
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    Understand what the best exemplars in your field do well. Figure out why. Then ask how you can mix, match, and reconstruct these elements into something new and even better.
    
    
    
    
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    Martin Tip #2: Don’t wander.
    
    
    
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    staying diligent in his interest in the one field he was trying to master; being able to ignore the urge to start working on other projects at the same time.
    
    
    
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    if you don’t saturate your life in a single quest, you’ll dilute your focus to a point where becoming outstanding becomes out of reach.
    
    
    
    
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    If you’re looking to become a leader in your field, honestly evaluate your talent level. Don’t compare yourself to others who have had success. That’s a path toward frustration. Instead, ask yourself, candidly, whether you’re so good you can’t be ignored. If not, then get back to work.
    
    
    
  
  

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.