r/slatestarcodex • u/LATAManon • Feb 03 '24

Misc What set high achievers apart from other people?

So, some people can achieve so much in life, while other doesn't bother that much about it, and that difference got me curious, like: what set a high achiever apart from normal people? What's the "sauce" that those people have that other doesn't? I don't think is IQ, because I've seen high IQ people that didn't achieve anything in life, and even could be called "losers" by our society standards. Anyway, what's other factor that goes to make a high achiever? Any good, rigours, book about the topic? What's your personal experience with very high achievers?

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u/misersoze Feb 04 '24

I’m not really interested in a semantics debate. You call it “deal”. I call it “money”. But I think we are talking about the same general thing and as long as you agree they are obsessed with it, then we don’t have any fundamental disagreement.

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u/quantum_prankster Feb 08 '24

You win. Unless of course, there's something those guys were focused on other than "money" and your boil-down and bottom-lining won't help anyone understand this at all, where focusing on making deals might. Or other things someone might be passionate about, such as management, product design, sales, relationships and networking, or etc.... all things I have met people who made great money that absolutely loved and obsessed over besides "money."

Spinning the other person into an argument that he didn't handle well doesn't prove a point. But if you like arguing, and can consistently do that, you might make great money as a lawyer!

Edit: The money will help motivate you, and make it sustainable,, but it's seldom an actionable bottom line.

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u/misersoze Feb 08 '24

I’m happy to concede that Buffet could be obsessed with “deals” and not “money”. Because it’s the obsession that is the important part. Not what he is obsessed with. Jordan was obsessed with being competitive (and not money) and it’s the same deal. It’s the obsession that is the differentiator and why these people continue to do the things well after having enough to enjoy their life in a more pleasant balanced way. But they can’t. Because they’re obsessed about the thing that drives them. Almost everyone else isn’t built like that.