6 Tips for Achieving Success from the World Champion
The key to success according to a chess grandmaster.
Most self-help books assume their readers are rational beings, advocating for visualizing success, waking up early, and drinking unpleasant smoothies.
However, the truly exceptional individuals, like Magnus Carlsen, do not follow such conventional advice.
Magnus Carlsen, the chess grandmaster with an IQ of 190, doesn’t start his day with affirmations in front of a mirror.
His secret to becoming a world champion lies in his exceptional memory, unwavering nerves, and the ability to outsmart a room full of grandmasters before they finish their lunch.
If you’re willing to abandon realism, embrace obsession, and defy conventional wisdom, you too can achieve greatness.
Step 1: Be Completely Obsessed
To excel at something, you have to be obsessed with it. It should consume you entirely.
Magnus Carlsen didn’t just like chess; he memorized thousands of game positions as a child, becoming a World Champion at only 22 years old.
Choose your obsession, whether it’s chess, business, or dominating Scrabble, and be so consumed by it that it becomes a part of you.
Step 2: Embrace Delusional Optimism
Optimism mixed with a touch of delusion is key to success, as being realistic won’t lead to extraordinary achievements.
The greatest champions don’t waste time doubting themselves; they charge forward with the belief that they will win.
Move past realistic limitations and focus on the possibilities of success.
Step 3: Focus on Thinking, Not Just Working
While the world praises working non-stop, Magnus Carlsen, despite his numerous titles, views chess as a hobby.
If what you’re doing feels like a chore, you’re doing it wrong.
Step 4: Keep Your Mind Sharp
Having a fresh mind is more important than perfect preparation, according to Magnus Carlsen.
Stop panicking and focus on being adaptable and sharp under pressure.
Step 5: Play the Long Game
Success isn’t about quick wins; it’s about thinking ahead and considering the entire game plan.
Before jumping into decisions, consider the long-term implications to ensure a successful outcome.
Final Step: Love What You Do
Ultimately, success comes from loving what you do so much that it never feels like a sacrifice.
Follow these principles, and you may not become a world chess champion, but you will certainly excel in life and find joy in your pursuits.
