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jimsojim | 6 months ago

Excellence in anything is a byproduct of having fun. Fun is a byproduct of understanding. Understanding is a byproduct of going slow. Going slow is a byproduct of curiosity. Curiosity is a byproduct of saying "I don’t know," of shunning beliefs and attending to what is in front, with zero baggage or impositions of your own—shunning the ego in the moment, moment by moment. Excellence comes when each piece is as equal as any other, when preference is shunned, when space is created to allow what is in the moment, without resistance, without insistence.

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smokel|6 months ago

I don't think understanding leads to fun in most people. It probably is the case for most people here on Hacker News, but I doubt it's universal.

Bluestein|6 months ago

It is probably not universal. Whole point, I guess, is it should be (much as excellence itself, by the way...)

1718627440|6 months ago

I think it does when the understanding follows couriosity.

duckkg5|6 months ago

This is relatable. Once one gets over the frustration of failing and making mistakes (thousands of times in some cases), it becomes fun and easier to stay curious.

ramraj07|6 months ago

I've seen a lot of people play cricket and soccer all their lives, they had a metric ton of fun, and im sure I will not put them close to the word excellent in any aspect of their lives. Im not sure any of the statements you made are agreeable in fact.

kaffekaka|6 months ago

I don't think GP is saying that if something is fun you will become excellent at it. Rather, of you want to excel in anything it is a huge advantage if you enjoy doing it, so try to keep it fun.

leoh|6 months ago

This is great. I agree with another poster in that I don't know that it applies to everyone, but I really relate and think it's an amazing reminder.

fsckboy|6 months ago

>Excellence in anything is a byproduct of having fun

absolutely not. fun is a byproduct of excellence.

do people like playing the piano well? yes.

do beginners like taking piano lessons and practicing in between? no.

prodigies can enjoy lessons, that's why we have a word for them, they already excel due to some unusual internal wiring