23. Reverse Engineering Success｜Shane Snow

We’ve all heard the overnight success stories that popped out of
nowhere.


Why is it that some people struggle for years to get to a level
of success, while a few individuals can climb straight to the top
in mere months? This is what our guest, Shane Snow, is here to
reveal today.


Shane is a talented entrepreneur, but he’s an even more talented
journalist. After researching, analyzing, and interviewing the
unconventional success stories of people and companies, he
noticed a common pattern amongst them. That’s why Shane wrote the
book, Smartcuts.


While 99.9% of us have been taught the conventional wisdom of
success, such as paying our dues and making small progress, Shane
argues that the 0.1% think differently. He calls it ‘lateral
thinking’, which is to rethink conventional practices and break
the rules (that were never rules in the first place).


This is a book that I’ve read over and over because it preaches
why thinking differently, and zigging while everyone else is
zagging will accelerate your success.


In this interview, we go deep and wide in every aspect. We’ll
shatter the common wisdom about success, how you can think
laterally to fast track your success, and explore the
behind-the-scene stories of global icons like Michelle Phan,
Skillrex, and Jimmy Fallon.


If you have the desire to,
be, do, and achieve more in less time, or if
you’re seeking a different way of thinking, this episode with
Shane will inspire you.
What You’ll Learn

How switching from one ladder to another can bypass
traditional courses of success

The fastest-rising U.S Presidents didn’t progress up the
linear political path. They were successful in one industry
and jumped on the Presidential ladder (ex. Reagan, Trump)

Companies that pivot from one business model or product
to another tend to perform much better than those who always
stayed on one course



How to use mini-failures to make faster progress in anything
you do

The myth of the 10,000-hour rule

What Shane learned after interviewing global icons like
Skillrex and Michelle Phan

Why an entrepreneur that failed at his first company is no
more likely to succeed the next time around

How to build authentic relationships with mentors (and why
informal relationships are much more effective than formal)

How Shane deals with loneliness and the downturns of
entrepreneurship

People Mentioned In The Episode

President Ronald Reagan

Skillrex

Michelle Phan

Jimmy Fallon

Peter Thiel



 





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Past guests on Growth Minds include: Robert Kiyosaki (Rich Dad
Poor Dad), Steve Aoki, Robert Greene, Dr. Jason Fung, and more.