Summary of ‘How to Begin’ by Michael Bungay Stanier Flashcards
What are the three characteristics of a ‘worthy pursuit’ according to Michael Bungay Stanier?
Thrilling, Important, Daunting
Fill in the blank: A worthy pursuit should be something that is _____ to do, benefits others, and requires dedication.
thrilling
True or False: A pattern pursuit focuses on changing behaviors and habits.
True
Provide an example of a project pursuit.
Creating a podcast that gets 1,000 downloads in a month.
What type of pursuit involves improving interactions with others?
People pursuits
What should you do to increase the ‘thrilling’ score of a pursuit?
Make it a fun intellectual challenge and a way to become great at something desired.
How can you increase the ‘daunting’ score of a pursuit?
Adjust the scope and timeline to reach the ‘Goldilocks Zone,’ making it challenging but achievable.
Which action verb can be used to make a pursuit feel more exciting?
Examples: Transform, Launch, Crush, Devour, Revive, Supercharge, Kickstart
Why is it important to commit to a worthy pursuit?
Commitment helps you stay focused by valuing pursuit rewards over the comfort of the status quo.
True or False: A reliable practice involves taking big, bold actions infrequently.
False
List two rewards of not pursuing a worthy goal and sticking to the status quo.
Status, familiarity, or control
What should you consider when designing a reliable practice?
Experimenting and iterating to find simple, effective, and sustainable steps.
According to Stanier, what represents the ‘gravitational forces’ that pull you off course from your pursuit?
Comforts like status, authority, and control
How can you balance the rewards and punishments of pursuing a worthy goal versus maintaining the status quo?
Identify more rewards and fewer punishments for the pursuit than for the status quo.
Finish the quote: ‘Seek simplicity on the other side of ________.’
complexity
