Achieving Remarkable Things

7 Lessons • 30m • John Amaechi

Achieving Remarkable Things

John Amaechi's journey from British bookworm to NBA player and organizational psychologist reveals that high performance requires vision, grit, and the recognition that success is often a collective effort rather than an individual achievement.

Achieving Remarkable Things

NBA players, doctoral students, and high-level leaders share the mastery of discipline in showing up for challenging, monotonous work, as highlighted by psychologist and former NBA player John Amaechi, who emphasizes that excellence stems from enduring unglamorous moments.

Achieving Remarkable Things

Creating a Compelling Vision

Psychologist John Amaechi encourages us to envision a bold future, similar to the imaginative technologies of Star Trek, and to reverse-engineer our goals by identifying necessary steps and skills to achieve that vision.

Creating a Compelling Vision

Building a Group of People to Go With You

Psychologist John Amaechi emphasizes that, like Luke Skywalker, real-world success relies on building a supportive network—your own Rebel Alliance—of people who share your vision and help you stay focused and motivated through challenges.

Building a Group of People to Go With You

Understanding Yourself at a Granular Level

The ancient Greek maxim "Know thyself," inscribed at Delphi, remains relevant today, as psychologist John Amaechi emphasizes that deep self-awareness is essential for personal growth, success, and navigating external expectations through introspection and self-assessment.

Understanding Yourself at a Granular Level

Three Barriers to Success (and How to Deal With Them)

Brené Brown emphasizes the importance of self-compassion, urging us to treat ourselves with love rather than criticism, while psychologist John Amaechi offers tools for overcoming inner obstacles, embracing failure, and fostering resilience to achieve our goals.

Three Barriers to Success (and How to Deal With Them)

Four Requirements for High Performance

Psychologist John Amaechi emphasizes that high performers excel not due to innate talent, but through the relentless pursuit of four key drivers: knowledge, skills, opportunity, and motivation, which can be cultivated to enhance personal performance.

Four Requirements for High Performance

Embracing the Mundane and Vexing

In elite sports, true greatness stems from enduring the monotony of basic drills and overcoming frustration, as highlighted by former NBA player John Amaechi, who emphasizes that mastery requires focused effort and well-executed practice rather than just flashy performances.

Embracing the Mundane and Vexing

We’re often encouraged to chase greatness but rarely taught what it takes. John Amaechi’s journey — from British bookworm to NBA player to organizational psychologist — pulls back the curtain. So what does high performance require? Amaechi says it’s a combination of vision, grit, and the understanding that success is rarely achieved alone.

Learning Objectives

  • Craft a bold, inspiring vision for your future.
  • Leverage self-reflection to fuel growth.
  • Pinpoint and activate key levers of performance.
  • Navigate challenges with true resilience.
  • Build a network that holds you accountable to your vision.