Ronnyology Library - 10.02.2024 - Helsinki, Finland

Dear diary (and all of you friends out there),

As I was younger, I barely read. Books felt like a burden, something you had to do. So, I did other stuff instead. Fast forward to today, I wish I had been bitten by the reading bug earlier. The better version of me is the result of the past years of reading I have been doing, and a big thanks to that reading motivation is good books.

This gave me an idea (also inspired by the book I presented to you today) to share what I have read. Why?

1. You learn best by teaching and explaining, so this creates a model to do exactly that with what I’ve read

2. What is the point of finding and learning amazing things if you can’t share them with others? Nothing, so I want to give honest access to the stuff as I experience it.

So welcome to the Ronnyology Library and the first Book Review

This concept follows a simple process: I provide an overview, give some personal impressions, talk about who it is for, spice it up with quotes, and do a more extensive summary. Voilà - there is a way to learn what touched me the most while learning about the book. First review below.

Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things

🚀 The Book in 3 Sentences

1. Everyone has potential; it is just a matter of characteristics and understanding how we unfold it.

2. Talent is overrated, and our society is built to reward innate advantages. Success does not result from what you were born with but from what mental models, characteristics, and growth mindset you proceed with.

3. Greatness is the skill of getting better at getting better, and you don’t need a map to achieve it, just a compass, a.k.a. a direction

🎨 Impressions

This is one of the books that mostly inspired me to what I’m capable of and what I could teach others. This one could be turned into a course I teach; I feel so much for it.

While the book focused more on potential, I saw it as a guidebook to achieving dreams. The baseline for that is to be proactive, prosocial, disciplined, and determined. With those characteristics, nothing will stop you except you, which means you are waiting to start.

This book creates that baseline needed to proceed step-by-step towards your dreams. You have the potential. The only problem is that you and the society don’t understand it. Thus, it won’t get unleashed, and you will stay stuck.

Who Should Read It?

This should be required reading for everyone in the world. As Mark Cuban states on the back cover, “This is a book that should be read by parents, leaders, coaches, and every school board member. Adam Grant reveals that everything that you think about potential is wrong.” If you’re interested in becoming a better version of yourself, as someone who has read many self-help books, I would state this is the baseline. To be an entrepreneur, teacher, or any leader, you must be equipped with what this book is about - a growth mindset. Moreover, you need to put it into practice, understanding how hidden potential in you and humanity is unlocked.

It’s based on psychology and many studies, so it requires you to focus but trust me, it is worth it. I’ll be launching my take of a course about it - because I can already see the results, and I hope you will be able to do that, too

☘️ How the Book Changed Me

💡 How my life / behaviour / thoughts / ideas have changed as a result of reading the book.

• It made me understand the importance of characteristics and how to develop those

• It improved my models to ask for support and get the most out of the people around me

• It made me stop overthinking and start doing “You don’t need a map, just a compass.”

• It helped me redefine success and potential. “The true measure of potential is not the peak you’ve reached, but how far you’ve climbed to get there.”

✍️ My Top 3 Quotes

• “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved” - Helen Keller

• Accelerating learning requires a second form of courage: being brave enough to use your knowledge as you acquire it

• “It’s neither work nor play, purpose or purposelessness that satisfies us. It is the dance between” - Bernard de Koven

📒 Summary + Notes

A new framework for raising aspirations and exceeding expectations

Everything we think about potential is wrong. Everyone has potential, and what makes me proud is the fact that Finland, my home country, has realized that and allowed me to embrace it. Thanks to that, I’ve become the person I am today, but I'm blind to why.

Adam Grant and Hidden Potential shed light on those reasons, helping one pinpoint where our potential is hidden so we can further develop in the segments we lack. The process unfolds in three key themes:

1. Skills of Character - Getting Better at Getting Better

2. Structures of Motivation - Scaffolding to Overcome Obstacles

3. Systems of Opportunity - Opening Doors and Windows

The book goes from building you - to sustaining you - to thriving together. A better version will go further, without burning, and this version will go further when supported and supporting others.

Thankful to Adam Grant for his practical tips found below:

1. Build Character Skills

A. Cultivating Humility: Humility is a crucial character skill in unlocking potential. Humble individuals are more adept at learning because they are open to new information and can revise their understanding based on feedback. To build humility, one should practice active listening, seek diverse perspectives, and maintain a learner's mindset, always ready to update beliefs and assumptions.

B. Embracing Discomfort for Growth: Growth often occurs at the edge of our comfort zones. Discomfort can be a powerful catalyst for learning new skills and adapting to changing environments. To build this skill, it's crucial to regularly engage in activities that challenge you, encourage reflection on failures as learning opportunities, and develop resilience to navigate uncertainty and setbacks.

C. Developing a Giver Mindset: Adam Grant emphasizes the importance of being a giver, not just in terms of philanthropy but in everyday interactions. This involves offering help, sharing knowledge, and being a positive force in the lives of others. Cultivating this mindset can enhance interpersonal skills, empathy, and the ability to collaborate effectively.

2. Setup Scaffolding to Overcome Obstacles

A. Overcoming Self-Limiting Beliefs: Recognizing and dismantling self-limiting beliefs is essential for personal growth. This involves challenging long-held assumptions about one's abilities, seeking constructive feedback, and practicing self-compassion. Developing a growth mindset, as popularized by Carol Dweck, is crucial in this process.

B. Leveraging Relationships and Environment: Creating a supportive ecosystem is vital for overcoming obstacles. This means nurturing relationships with mentors, colleagues, and even critics who can offer valuable feedback. Additionally, curating an environment that fosters learning and risk-taking can significantly impact one's ability to navigate and overcome challenges.

C. Practical Strategies for Obstacle Management: Developing practical coping strategies, such as problem-solving skills, stress management techniques, and adaptive thinking, can provide a robust scaffold for overcoming various life and career hurdles.

3. Build Systems of Opportunity

A. Creating Equitable Opportunity Systems: This involves acknowledging and addressing the systemic biases and privileges that exist in various spheres. Efforts might include advocating for fairer educational and workplace policies, supporting initiatives that provide equal opportunities for all, and actively participating in community efforts to bridge gaps.

B. Building Personal Opportunity Networks: Networking and relationship-building are key in creating personal opportunities. This includes connecting with a diverse range of individuals, engaging in communities relevant to your interests and career, and actively seeking mentorship and collaboration opportunities.

C. Developing Continuous Learning Systems: In a rapidly changing world, continuous learning is non-negotiable. Building systems that encourage regular upskilling, cross-skilling, and staying abreast of industry trends are vital. This can be achieved through online courses, workshops, reading, and engaging in projects that stretch your current skill set.