Section 1.1: Limited Opportunities for Growth

Mathematics illustrates that as you close in on a target, the opportunities for further advancement shrink. For example, if your goal is to answer all 10 quiz questions correctly, a person who answers 9 correctly has far less room for improvement than someone who only manages 2.

The individual who scores 9 clearly has a deeper understanding of the material, but in terms of growth potential, they face a disadvantage. They must not only retain the knowledge to replicate their previous success but also prepare for the challenging question they missed. This effort only translates to an 11% improvement. In contrast, the person who scored a 2 has a higher chance for significant change; if they manage to answer 6 correctly on their next attempt, that's a whopping 200% improvement.

This example, while simplistic, illustrates that improvement is not always proportional to the effort expended or the challenges faced. For high achievers, the easier improvements have already been made, leaving them with tougher challenges that yield diminishing returns.

Section 1.2: The Role of Intentionality

As opportunities for improvement diminish, it becomes essential to be deliberate in addressing any remaining weaknesses. Gone are the days when one could stumble into growth simply by showing up. Experience alone is insufficient; you must cultivate a mindset of profound intentionality.

What does this mean in practice? Your improvement strategies must be targeted, specific, and well-planned. For instance, a person committed to weight loss doesn't merely state, "I will eat less." Instead, they declare, "I will maintain a 500-calorie deficit for the next three weeks." This clarity provides a purpose that drives specific actions.

Why do I describe this mindset as "abnormal"? Because most individuals do not think in such precise terms. They tend to lack intentionality in their plans, making it easy to lose focus. If they already perform well, they may be satisfied with their results and view the pursuit of further opportunities as unrealistic.

The combination of these factors often means that most people lack the mindset required for greatness. And you know what? That's perfectly acceptable. The self-improvement community sometimes encourages arrogance by criticizing those who "don't dream big enough." However, the reality is that achieving extraordinary performance isn't always feasible.

For instance, the best free-throw shooters in the NBA successfully make about 90% of their shots, while players are regarded as good if they make around 80%. While we desire our favorite teams to minimize mistakes, it's unreasonable to be upset if a player hits 8 out of 10 free throws instead of 9.

Section 1.3: The Necessity of Change

In statistics, there's a concept known as capability, which measures how effectively a process meets a defined target. A highly capable process consistently achieves its goals, while a less capable one rarely does.

Generally, there are two paths to enhancing a process's capability: optimizing it (what I call "maxing") or completely changing it (which I refer to as "shifting"). Sometimes, a combination of both is necessary.

How does this relate to our broader discussion? It provides a framework to evaluate our own improvement approaches. Even if you're unfamiliar with statistical capability, you're likely aware of examples of maxing and shifting in everyday life. If you want more lemon juice, you can squeeze harder (maxing) or gather more lemons (shifting).

Maxing is about extracting the utmost from your current resources, while shifting involves altering the process itself. Guess which method is more prevalent when individuals seek improvement? That's right, it's maxing. The challenge arises for high performers who have likely maxed out their current processes. They've already optimized their methods sufficiently to excel, leaving little room for further gains from maxing.

Thus, to move from good to great, you need to "fix what ain't broke" by embracing a shift. Significant changes to systems, techniques, and philosophies are essential to achieve marginal improvements, even when previous methods yielded satisfactory results.

It's ironic, isn't it? We often assume that the difference between good and great lies in minor adjustments, but in truth, it's often the areas where we barely fall short that would benefit most from a complete overhaul.

Consider the Super Bowl champions who traded their starting quarterback after falling just one win short of a title three years prior. Look at the disparity in salary increases when switching jobs compared to receiving a raise. Reflect on the normal quality of your favorite artist's work versus when they are experiencing love or heartbreak.

Maxing focuses on practice and execution, whereas shifting emphasizes strategy and creativity. It's these latter two traits that make the most significant impact at the highest levels.

Are shifts risky? Absolutely. There's no guarantee that what is new will always outperform the old. However, once you experience the benefits of a successful shift, you'll wonder why you didn't make that change sooner.