Secret of Greatness

Here is the research based tip sheet for Greatness from Fortune Oct 30, 2006 issue.

1. Approach each critical task with an explicit goal of getting much better at it.

2. As you do the task, focus on what's happening and why you're doing it the way you are.

3. After the task, get feedback on your performance from multiple sources. Make changes in your behavior as necessary.

4. Continually build mental models of your situation - our industry, your company, your career. Enlarge the models to encompass more factors.

5. Do those steps regularly, not sporadically. Occasional practice does not work.

The article state uniequivocally that nobody is great without work. And there is a minimum ten-year before anyone can reach their peak.