4 - Get Bothered Wake Up to What Y ou Want Flashcards
What motivates individuals to engage in their own lives and communities according to Diana Nyad?
The desire to feel excited about what they stand to learn from their projects.
Engagement is seen as a pathway to personal fulfillment and community involvement.
What was James Ankrum’s academic background before joining the lab?
He earned a master’s degree in engineering design at Cambridge University and was offered a joint Harvard/MIT doctoral program.
He was the first in his family to graduate from college.
What question did James Ankrum shift to in order to find clarity in his direction?
He shifted from asking ‘What do I want to do?’ to ‘What would be most exciting to learn?’
This shift helped him identify his interest in biology.
What approach did James Ankrum take to stay motivated during his research?
He worked on multiple projects simultaneously to diversify his efforts and maintain motivation.
This strategy helped him manage the high failure rate in scientific research.
What are ‘pain points’ in the context of problem-solving?
‘Pain points’ refer to the motivating factors that drive individuals to act, often related to fear or desire.
In medical science, pain points are aspects of human suffering that researchers aim to alleviate.
What specific issue did Bryan Laulicht address in his project?
He worked on reducing injuries in children who swallowed button batteries.
This issue affects about 3,500 children annually in the U.S.
How does emotional connection influence motivation according to the text?
An emotional connection can keep motivation high, making efforts feel worthwhile.
Personal stakes can drive individuals to take action.
What advice did Bryan Stevenson give regarding social justice activism?
Stay proximate to the people who are suffering the most.
This helps maintain focus and intention in activism.
What is the relationship between purpose and passion as described in the text?
Purpose finds passion, and passion fuels purpose and joy.
The interplay between these elements can guide individuals toward fulfillment.
Why might following one’s passion be challenging for most people?
Most people may not clearly know what their passion is or may struggle to find a straightforward path.
Personal experiences can diverge significantly from the idealized notion of following passion.
What did Diana Nyad recognize as her ‘pain point’ during childhood?
A sense of mortality and the urgency to make the most of her life.
This awareness drove her ambition and engagement in various pursuits.
How can identifying a pain point help overcome motivational lags?
Creating a pain point can increase the stakes and encourage action toward intentions.
This strategy can help individuals commit to their goals.
What does the term ‘boots-on-the-ground proximity’ refer to?
It refers to being closely connected to the struggles or challenges one aims to address, enhancing motivation and understanding.
This proximity taps into a deeper energy source for action.
What was Linda Stone’s pain point that guided her career decisions?
Wanting to work only on things she truly cares about
This pain point served as a guide in her professional journey.
What common themes did Linda Stone’s interests share?
Creativity, intelligence, how people learn and think, problem-solving
Her interests were centered around understanding human capabilities and the human-machine relationship.
How did Linda Stone describe her career trajectory?
Guided by interests and a passion for technology serving humans
She never set out to achieve top-level positions but followed her curiosities.
What question does the author suggest asking when weighing career decisions?
Which choice will you be most excited to do?
This question helps clarify personal motivation and excitement about potential paths.
What is the importance of self-awareness in decision-making according to the text?
It helps identify what genuinely excites you and informs better choices
Self-awareness allows individuals to discern between fulfilling and unfulfilling experiences.
Fill in the blank: The idea of using biometrics in personal motivation can help identify ______.
What energizes you and what doesn’t
This concept parallels how biometrics are used in science to assess health.
True or False: The author believes that every moment must be productive.
False
The author reflects on the importance of engagement over constant productivity.
What does the author mean by ‘activation energy’ in the context of motivation?
The effort needed to overcome tiredness and engage in tasks
It refers to the energy required to push through challenges.
What does the author suggest about the relationship between excitement and productivity?
Filling life with passions makes it easier to recognize real weariness versus lack of motivation
Engaging in enjoyable activities enhances productivity and mood.
What strategy does the author recommend for dealing with time pressures?
Pay attention to what you spend your time on and ensure it aligns with your values
This approach helps prioritize meaningful activities.
What is an example of a ‘lit move’ the author mentions?
Experimenting with daily routines to improve sleep
The author uses wearable devices to track and enhance sleep quality.
Fill in the blank: The greater the contrast, the greater the ______.
Potential
This concept is attributed to Carl Jung, emphasizing the significance of experiencing opposites.
What should you do if you find yourself unable to make a decision?
Experiment more to figure out what drives and excites you
This process helps clarify personal interests and motivations.
What does the author mean by ‘shedding the shoe’ in career choices?
Recognizing when a path or role is not a good fit and moving on
It symbolizes the importance of aligning career choices with personal curiosity.
How should one view impostor syndrome in the context of exploration?
As a sign of exploring new and unfamiliar territory
This perspective encourages embracing uncertainty rather than avoiding it.
What is the significance of keeping an internal inventory of activities?
To gauge what you love doing and what bothers you
This practice informs better decision-making regarding time and energy investment.
What does the author suggest about past impressions of being ‘not a math person’?
They are worth revisiting as new contexts may change your abilities
Growth and development can alter previous limitations.
What is impostor syndrome reframed as, according to the text?
A sign of exploring new and unfamiliar territory
This perspective encourages curiosity and growth.
What was the lab saying that James Ankrum recalled?
‘Do something!’
This phrase was used to encourage taking risks and moving beyond planning stages.
What should you focus on instead of feeling you should know what to do next?
Figuring out what you are curious about
Shifting focus to curiosity can guide future decisions.
What is a pain point in the context of shared experiences?
A source of urgency that can motivate collective action
Recognizing pain points can lead to significant global changes.
What does the text suggest is necessary for innovation at a global level?
A shift toward a more collaborative, less power-driven model
Current political and economic structures often hinder innovation.
What should you do to uncover your motivating sources?
Try these steps: LOOK AROUND, ENGAGE WITH INTENTION, CONNECT WITH YOUR OWN POWER, BE TRANSPARENT, PASS IT FORWARD
These steps help recognize and act on personal pain points.
What does being an active opportunist entail?
Sampling your environment and seeking diverse experiences
This approach helps in learning, growing, and connecting.
What does the research suggest about relational diversity and happiness?
Interactions with diverse relationship types lead to greater happiness
Weak ties can provide access to new information and resources.
What is the importance of networking according to the text?
It is a fundamental feature for growth and connection
Networking is essential for both neurons and humans.
What role do weak ties play in social networks?
They serve as bridges that provide access to information and resources
This can lead to surprisingly positive experiences.
What is the term coined by Edward de Bono that encourages thinking outside the box?
Lateral thinking
This concept promotes innovation by using different perspectives.
What does ‘the extended mind’ refer to?
The idea that the mind extends beyond the brain into our bodies and relationships
This concept highlights the interconnectedness of our thinking.
What does Phillip Sharp emphasize about learning from others?
He enjoys talking to people who know something different than he does
This approach deepens interests and maximizes impact.
How does engaging in a fertile scientific environment affect problem-solving?
It stimulates people to solve problems and bring back new tools and ideas
Collaboration fosters innovation and diverse perspectives.
What was Phillip Sharp’s childhood experience that influenced his curiosity?
Growing up on a small farm in Kentucky
Being close to nature sparked his interest in science.
What is the benefit of participating in regular meetings of other labs, according to Sharp?
It expands scientific dialogue and fosters collaboration
Sharing ideas enhances innovation and problem-solving.
What did Sharp enjoy about understanding how other people think?
It was enjoyable to understand in detail how other people think and how problems unfold, adding his own contributions.
Sharp expresses this as a wonderful life.
What opportunity did Sharp see that led him to cofound Biogen?
He saw an opportunity to bring academic technologies to patients.
This led to the launch of the biotech industry in 1978.
What did Sharp do to expand his scientific dialogue?
He sought opportunities to participate in other labs’ regular meetings to discuss work and share his own.
This approach expanded his sphere of colleagues.
What is the significance of networking according to the text?
Networking allows for the development of genuine relationships, sharing ideas, and learning from experiences.
It can lead to collaborations and valuable connections.
What does ‘active opportunism’ involve?
It involves recognizing opportunities to connect with others and being proactive in following through.
Opportunities can be outgoing (initiated by oneself) or incoming (initiated by others).
What was Sharp’s strategy for meeting new people?
He decided to meet someone new every two to three weeks, preparing questions and listening deeply.
This helped him gain insights and advance conversations.
True or False: Sharp found networking events to be enjoyable and easy.
False
He often found them torturous and awkward.
What was the outcome of Sharp attending a medical device networking event?
He met Nancy Briefs, leading to a fruitful collaboration on autostop needle technology.
This collaboration eventually expanded to include others and created new technology for treating metabolic disorders.
What problem did Omid Farokhzad discuss related to epidural anesthesia?
He described issues with overshoot injuries caused by epidural needles.
This highlighted the need for better, more accurate devices.
What innovation did Sharp and Farokhzad develop for epidural needles?
They created an intelligent injector that could sense tissue layers and stop before overshooting.
This aimed to improve safety in epidural anesthesia.
What did Praveen Kumar Vemula’s résumé include that impressed Sharp?
A summary of accomplishments in cartoon format.
This creative approach showcased his ability to communicate complex information visually.
What was Vemula’s significant contribution to nanotechnology?
He advanced technologies for treating skin contact allergies and inflammatory bowel disease.
These conditions affect millions of people in the U.S.
What does Linda Stone’s story illustrate about success?
Success can be attributed to hard work and seizing opportunities, not just luck.
Stone’s career path shows the importance of following passions and acting on moments.
Fill in the blank: Sharp believes that opportunities flow in two directions: outgoing and _______.
incoming
What did Sharp encourage engineers and scientists to do?
Talk with rural and resource-poor students to inspire the next generation of researchers.
He noted that representation can have a profound impact.
What is the key to maximizing the potential to get lucky according to the text?
Increasing chances through practice and seizing moments.
This is exemplified in stories of successful individuals.
What is the significance of having a diverse team in a lab according to Sharp?
Creative diversity can enhance problem-solving and innovation.
Sharp hired Vemula for his creativity despite not having a specific opening.
What drove her passions in her career?
The desire to advance the ways technology can improve our lives.
Where did she move to attend college?
Washington State to attend the Evergreen State College.
What is Evergreen State College known for?
A celebrated haven for creative thinkers.
What did she find in the library basement at Evergreen?
A fully equipped wood shop and an early PLATO computer system.
What job did she take after graduating from Evergreen?
A teacher and children’s librarian.
What happened after she was injured in a car accident?
She used recovery time to learn more about technology.
What programming language did she teach to teachers?
Logo computer language.
What significant event occurred in 1984 for her career?
She paid her own way to the first Logo conference.
What did the woman sitting next to her at the conference work for?
Synectics.
What was her role with Synectics after attending the conference?
She helped them open their first sales accounts.
What did Apple Computer say about their hiring criteria?
They look for someone who thinks out of the box.
What was Stephen Wilkes known for?
Renowned photographer with signature panoramas.
What is unique about Wilkes’ exhibit titled ‘Day to Night’?
Each image incorporates more than a thousand single-exposure images.
What was Wilkes’ early artistic influence?
Hieronymus Bosch and Pieter Bruegel the Elder.
What did Wilkes find spellbinding about Bruegel’s painting ‘The Harvesters’?
The narrative stories painted within the epic landscape.
What does the author suggest about social reengagement post-pandemic?
Intentional reengagement became a necessity.
Fill in the blank: Anytime our social structures are disrupted, we can use the opportunity to _______.
choose our new settings with greater intention.
What does Temple Grandin emphasize regarding neurodivergent thinking?
It is critical for innovation and invention.
What is a key point for creating generative interactions and collaborations?
A mix of experience and expertise helps frame a discussion broadly.
What is the ‘magic’ that Susan Hockfield recognized in lab meetings?
A group of people can puzzle around complex problems to produce great outcomes.
What does the term ‘contagious altruism’ refer to?
The impulse for altruism that drives people to help others in need.
What can be a catalyst for many people wanting to help in a crisis?
A small spark to catalyze the contribution.
Fill in the blank: The evolutionary inheritance of altruism can overcome obstacles of _______.
distance, apathy, and organizational inertia.
What is one strategy for active opportunism?
Open doors so opportunity doesn’t need to knock.
What should you recognize to avoid blind spots in your personal experience?
Where your personal experience is limited.
How should neurodiversity be valued in a team?
As an asset rather than a deficit.
What should you recognize about your personal experience?
Where your personal experience is limited in ways that can create blind spots or unconscious biases
This awareness can help you change through intentional efforts to see and learn more.
What does valuing neurodiversity involve?
Identifying strengths and capabilities rather than just learning deficits or differences
Neurodiversity is often misunderstood; we are all on a continuum of strengths.
How can workplace teams maximize essential diversity?
Use targeted collaboration with nimble, deep thinkers
Look for partners who bring knowledge, energy, and different perspectives.
What should you do when you meet someone with a different orientation?
Pay attention and seek to learn from your differences
Learning from differences can lead to greater gains.
What experience did the author have after presenting to a grant committee?
A committee member suggested meeting for coffee, leading to the creation of two companies and additional funding
The author was initially hesitant due to tiredness but recognized the potential opportunity.
What is essential for developing an awareness of skills in others?
A straightforward self-assessment without shame or self-criticism
Seek out those who excel in areas where you wish to improve.
What should you do to enrich your life with purpose?
Volunteer and follow your interests or listen for urgent needs
Volunteering is a way to contribute and gain new experiences.
Fill in the blank: We’re all hardwired with _______ and capabilities.
[strengths]
True or False: Neurodiversity should only be viewed in terms of deficits.
False
It should also recognize strengths and capabilities.
What mindset should you maintain to foster creativity?
Stay curious and open to surprises
Curiosity can lead to unexpected opportunities.
What is a benefit of collaborating with diverse partners?
They help think about a problem differently
This can enhance problem-solving and innovation.
