“I often think I am a better person because I lived for many years of my life with a flashlight. I have developed skills I did not think were possible - bathing with a cup of water by candlelight, for instance, and writing a story with a headlamp on.” ThinkingWritingYearsPersonsStoriesWaterSkillsInstanceCupsBetter PersonBathingFlashlightsCandlelight Author:Janine di Giovanni
“The histories of the lives and fortunes of men are full of instances of this nature,--where favorable times and lucky accidents have done for them, what wisdom or skill could not.” MenDoneLuckySkillsLuckFortuneAccidentsInstance Book:The Works of Laurence Sterne ...: With a Life of the Author Source: The Works of Laurence Sterne ...: With a Life of the Author
“The greatest successes grow out of great failures. In numerous instances the result is better that comes after a series of abortive experiences than it would have been if it had come at once; for all these successive failures induce a skill which is so much additional power working into the final achievement.... The hand that evokes such perfect music from the instrument has often failed in its touch, and bungled among the keys.... Every disappointed effort fences in and indicates the only possible path of success, and makes it easier to find.” IfsHas BeensHandsGrowsPerfectResultsEffortPathKeysEasierSkillsAchievementInstrumentsSeriesFinalsInstanceDisappointedFenceEvokeGreatest Success Author:Edwin Hubbel Chapin
“It's an astonishing skill that people can read, and read well. Very few people can read well. For instance, I have to be very careful with irony, saying something while meaning the exact opposite.” PeopleWellsSkillsOppositesCarefulInstanceIronyAstonishing Author:Kurt Vonnegut
“There are very few instances where writers have also been effective image makers - different skill sets are required.” DifferentSkillsInstanceMakers Author:Fred Ritchin
“Developing a skill is painful, though. It is difficult. And that's part of the satisfaction. You will only find meaning in what you struggle with. What you struggle to get good at next may not seem the exact right thing for you at first. With time and effort, however, you will discover new possibilities in yourself-an ability to solve problems, for instance, or to communicate, or to create beauty.” FirstsMayProblemSeemsNextDifficultAbilityEffortStrugglePossibilitySkillsPainfulSatisfactionCommunicateSolveInstanceDevelopingRight ThingFind MeNew Possibilities Author:Atul Gawande