Eduardo Briceño: How to get better at the things you care about | TED

譯者: Xu Huang 審譯者: 易帆 余

Most of us go through life trying to do our best at whatever we do,

大多數人在生活中 都會嘗試把每件事做到最好，

whether it's our job, family, school

無論是在職場上、家庭、學校

or anything else.

或其它領域。

I feel that way. I try my best.

我也有同感，也會努力嘗試。

But some time ago, I came to a realization

但前一段時間，我開始意識到，

that I wasn't getting much better at the things I cared most about,

我總是無法在 自己最在意的事情上做得更好。

whether it was being a husband or a friend

比如做一個好丈夫或好朋友，

or a professional or teammate,

一名專業人士或好隊友，

and I wasn't improving much at those things

我一直無法在 這些事情上有很大的提升，

even though I was spending a lot of time

哪怕我花了很多時間

working hard at them.

努力完成。

I've since realized from conversations I've had and from research

我之後在與他人的談話 和研究中意識到，

that this stagnation, despite hard work,

無論你多努力，

這種瓶頸總是一直出現。

turns out to be pretty common.

So I'd like to share with you some insights into why that is

所以我想跟各位分享一些見解，

and what we can all do about it.

並提出一些解決的辦法。

What I've learned is that the most effective people

我所了解的是，

無論哪個領域，各行業的佼佼者

and teams in any domain

do something we can all emulate.

都有可以讓我們仿效的地方。

They go through life deliberately alternating between two zones:

我發現，他們在日常生活中 會有意識地在這兩種狀態中切換，

the learning zone and the performance zone.

學習狀態和執行狀態，

The learning zone is when our goal is to improve.

在學習狀態，我們的技能可以進步。

Then we do activities designed for improvement,

我們會透過設計過的 活動來提升技能。

concentrating on what we haven't mastered yet,

專注于尚未掌握的事情，

which means we have to expect to make mistakes,

這意味著我們一定會有失誤，

knowing that we will learn from them.

但我們也一定能從中學到東西。

That is very different from what we do when we're in our performance zone,

這跟我們執行狀態時 所做的事情很不一樣，

which is when our goal is to do something as best as we can, to execute.

執行狀態的目的是把 我們最好的一面表現出來。

Then we concentrate on what we have already mastered

我們會專注在已經掌握好的技能，

and we try to minimize mistakes.

並把失誤減到最小。

Both of these zones should be part of our lives,

這兩種狀態都是我們生活的一部分，

but being clear about when we want to be in each of them,

但當你想要自在的處在這兩種狀態，

with what goal, focus and expectations,

你得清楚知道你的目標、關注點、 預期效果是什麼，

helps us better perform and better improve.

這樣才能幫助你 在執行和改進方面都做得更好。

The performance zone maximizes our immediate performance,

執行狀態注重當下的表現，

while the learning zone maximizes our growth

學習狀態會加速人的成長，

and our future performance.

並且提升未來的表現。

The reason many of us don't improve much

很多人，無論如何努力 都沒辦法有所提高。

despite our hard work

原因在於：

is that we tend to spend almost all of our time in the performance zone.

我們總是花費太多時間在執行狀態。

This hinders our growth,

這樣會阻礙成長。

and ironically, over the long term, also our performance.

諷刺的是，長時間下來， 也會引響我們的表現。

So what does the learning zone look like?

那麽，學習狀態是怎樣的情況？

Take Demosthenes, a political leader

來看看狄摩西尼，這位政治領袖，

and the greatest orator and lawyer in ancient Greece.

古希臘最偉大的演説家和律師。

To become great, he didn't spend all his time

他會偉大的原因， 不是因爲他把時間都花在

just being an orator or a lawyer,

演説和執行律師業務上面，

which would be his performance zone.

也就是說他不會一直處在執行狀態。

But instead, he did activities designed for improvement.

相反的，他做了很多改善的活動。

Of course, he studied a lot.

毋庸置疑，他花很多時間在學習。

He studied law and philosophy with guidance from mentors,

比如他在精神導師的指導下 學習法律及哲學，

but he also realized that being a lawyer involved persuading other people,

但他也同時意識到， 作爲律師他需要説服別人，

so he also studied great speeches

所以他也研究名人的演講

and acting.

及學習演戲。

To get rid of an odd habit he had of involuntarily lifting his shoulder,

爲了改變不由自主聳肩的壞習慣，

he practiced his speeches in front of a mirror,

他會在鏡子前練習演說，

and he suspended a sword from the ceiling

並且在天花板上吊一把劍。

so that if he raised his shoulder,

一旦聳肩，

it would hurt.

他就會被刺到。

(Laughter)

（觀衆笑）

To speak more clearly despite a lisp,

爲了克服口齒不清，

he went through his speeches with stones in his mouth.

他會含著石頭練習演講。

He built an underground room

他還建了一個地下室，

where he could practice without interruptions

以避免練習時被打擾

and not disturb other people.

或打擾到別人。

And since courts at the time were very noisy,

因爲上法院時會很吵，

he also practiced by the ocean,

所以他就對著大海練習，

projecting his voice above the roar of the waves.

讓自己的聲音比咆哮的海浪還大聲。

His activities in the learning zone

他在學習狀態所做的活動

were very different from his activities in court,

與他在法院上執行的活動，

his performance zone.

兩者是很不一樣的。

In the learning zone,

他在學習狀態時，

he did what Dr. Anders Ericsson calls deliberate practice.

會做安德森·愛立信博士所說的 「循序漸進的練習」。

This involves breaking down abilities into component skills,

就是把要學習的技能 拆分成一小段一小段的技能，

being clear about what subskill we're working to improve,

並且清楚地知道哪一項技巧 目前需要提高。

like keeping our shoulders down,

像是放鬆肩膀，

全新專注在舒適圈以外

giving full concentration to a high level of challenge

更高層次的挑戰，

outside our comfort zone,

專注超越那些早已掌握的事物。

just beyond what we can currently do,

using frequent feedback with repetition and adjustments,

利用快速反饋做重複練習和調整，

and ideally engaging the guidance of a skilled coach,

全力配合熟手教練的指導。

因爲，為改善而設計的活動

because activities designed for improvement

是有特定範圍的，

are domain-specific,

and great teachers and coaches know what those activities are

好的老師或教練知道 什麽活動能帶來進步，

and can also give us expert feedback.

並會給予專業的反饋。

It is this type of practice in the learning zone

就是在這種學習狀態下的練習，

which leads to substantial improvement,

才能大量的進步，

not just time on task performing.

而不是只是花時間在執行業務上。

For example, research shows that after the first couple of years

舉個例子，研究表明，

working in a profession,

在某一領域工作數年後，

performance usually plateaus.

表現會達到停滯期。

This has been shown to be true in teaching, general medicine,

這在教學、一般內科、

nursing and other fields,

護理及其他領域都得到了印證。

and it happens because once we think we have become good enough,

這是因爲一旦 人們覺得自己足夠好了，

adequate,

綽綽有餘了，

then we stop spending time in the learning zone.

就不會再花時間學習。

We focus all our time on just doing our job,

我們只會關注在如何完成工作

performing,

和執行業務上，

which turns out not to be a great way to improve.

這種方式變得不利於提高技能。

But the people who continue to spend time in the learning zone

但是那些一直在學習的人們，

do continue to always improve.

就會持續地成長。

The best salespeople at least once a week

最好的銷售人員，至少每週一次，

do activities with the goal of improvement.

進行改善訓練。

They read to extend their knowledge,

他們閲讀以增長知識，

consult with colleagues or domain experts,

諮詢同行和專家、

try out new strategies, solicit feedback and reflect.

嘗試新的策略、徵詢意見及反思。

The best chess players

最好的棋手，

spend a lot of time not playing games of chess,

大部分的時間， 並不是在跟別人下棋，

which would be their performance zone,

也就是他們不會 一直處在執行的狀態，

but trying to predict the moves grand masters made and analyzing them.

而是試圖預測並分析大師們的棋路。

Each of us has probably spent many, many, many hours

每個人可能都花了很多時間

typing on a computer

在電腦前打字，

without getting faster,

但卻沒有越打越快。

but if we spent 10 to 20 minutes each day

但是，如果我們每天 抽出 10-20 分鐘，

fully concentrating on typing 10 to 20 percent faster

全神貫注地提升打字速度，

than our current reliable speed,

比平常快上 10%-20% 就好，

we would get faster,

我們的速度就會越來越快。

especially if we also identified what mistakes we're making

特別是當我們能找到失誤，

and practiced typing those words.

並且專注加以練習。

That's deliberate practice.

這就是一種循序漸進 （刻意）的練習。

In what other parts of our lives,

在生活的其他方面，

perhaps that we care more about,

還有哪些是我們比較在意，

are we working hard but not improving much

我們很努力但進步緩慢的地方？

because we're always in the performance zone?

是不是因爲我們老是停留在 執行狀態裡？

Now, this is not to say that the performance zone has no value.

但以上都不是在說執行狀態沒有用，

It very much does.

它是很有價值的。

When I needed a knee surgery, I didn't tell the surgeon,

但我需要做膝蓋手術的時候， 我可不想告訴醫師：

"Poke around in there and focus on what you don't know."

「隨便戳戳吧， 探索一下你不知道的事。」

(Laughter)

（觀衆笑）

"We'll learn from your mistakes!"

「我們可以從失誤中學到東西啊！」

I looked for a surgeon who I felt would do a good job,

我會找一位我認爲夠好的醫師，

and I wanted her to do a good job.

我想讓她好好地幫我醫治。

Being in the performance zone

在執行狀態時，

allows us to get things done as best as we can.

我們會力求表現到最好，

It can also be motivating,

這樣可以激勵我們，

and it provides us with information to identify what to focus on next

並告訴我們，

在回到學習狀態的時候， 該關注些什麽。

when we go back to the learning zone.

So the way to high performance

所以說，想要表現得好

is to alternate between the learning zone and the performance zone,

需要在學習狀態 和執行狀態之間轉換。

purposefully building our skills in the learning zone,

在學習狀態下有目的性地積累技巧，

then applying those skills in the performance zone.

然後再將之應用在執行狀態裡。

When Beyoncé is on tour,

就像碧昂斯的巡演，

during the concert, she's in her performance zone,

演唱會上，她處在執行表演的狀態，

but every night when she gets back to the hotel room,

但每晚回到酒店，

she goes right back into her learning zone.

她就直接投入到學習狀態裡。

She watches a video of the show that just ended.

她會觀看剛剛結束的表演，

She identifies opportunities for improvement,

爲自己、舞群和攝像師，

for herself, her dancers and her camera staff.

尋找改進的機會。

And the next morning,

第二天早上，

everyone receives pages of notes with what to adjust,

所有人都會收到一份通知， 上面寫著那些地方需要改進，

which they then work on during the day before the next performance.

如此團隊成員就可以在 下一次表演之前做出調整。

It's a spiral

如此團隊的能力

to ever-increasing capabilities,

就可以一直向上提升。

but we need to know when we seek to learn, and when we seek to perform,

但我們需要清楚的是， 何時「學」、何時「做」，

and while we want to spend time doing both,

何時兩樣一起。

the more time we spend in the learning zone,

投入越多時間在學習狀態，

the more we'll improve.

就能取得越多的進步。

So how can we spend more time in the learning zone?

那麽我們要怎樣才能 多花點時間在學習狀態呢？

First, we must believe and understand

首先，要相信並理解一件事，

that we can improve,

那就是我們可以改進，

what we call a growth mindset.

也就是所謂的「成長心態」。

Second, we must want to improve at that particular skill.

其次，要在具體的技巧上做改進。

There has to be a purpose we care about,

並且要有一個我們在乎的目標，

because it takes time and effort.

因爲它需要時間和努力。

Third, we must have an idea about how to improve,

第三，我們必須要知道該如何提升，

what we can do to improve,

要做些什麽來提升，

not how I used to practice the guitar as a teenager,

而不是像我年輕時彈吉它那樣，

performing songs over and over again,

同首曲子一遍又一遍的重複，

but doing deliberate practice.

而是要做「循序漸進的練習」。

And fourth, we must be in a low-stakes situation,

第四，我們必須保持在低風險狀態，

because if mistakes are to be expected,

因爲如果如預期的發生了失誤，

then the consequence of making them must not be catastrophic,

那麽造成的後果就不會影響太大，

or even very significant.

或是關係重大。

A tightrope walker doesn't practice new tricks without a net underneath,

走鋼絲的演員， 不會在沒有護網的情況下

練習新的技巧；

and an athlete wouldn't set out to first try a new move

運動員並不會在冠軍比賽中，

during a championship match.

嘗試新的動作。

One reason that in our lives

我們在生活中， 花很多時間在執行狀態裡，

we spend so much time in the performance zone

這箇中原因是：

is that our environments often are, unnecessarily, high stakes.

我們常常處在不必要的 高風險環境中。

We create social risks for one another,

我們彼此製造了社會風險。

even in schools which are supposed to be all about learning,

哪怕是在學校，一個被認定為 純粹學習的地方，

and I'm not talking about standardized tests.

我不是在說標準測驗，

I mean that every minute of every day,

我說的是學生每時每刻、

many students in elementary schools through colleges

從小學到大學，

feel that if they make a mistake, others will think less of them.

都會覺得別人會因為 他們犯錯而輕視他們。

No wonder they're always stressed out

難怪他們總是緊張兮兮，

and not taking the risks necessary for learning.

不願為學習冒必要的風險。

But they learn that mistakes are undesirable

老師、家長對正確答案 趨之若鶩的態度，

inadvertently

無意中，

when teachers or parents are eager to hear just correct answers

讓學生害怕犯錯。

and reject mistakes rather than welcome and examine them

而不是勇於試錯、檢視過錯、

to learn from them,

並從中吸取教訓。

or when we look for narrow responses

又或者，我們只想聽「標準答案」，

rather than encourage more exploratory thinking

而不是鼓勵學生進行

that we can all learn from.

可以學到更多的開拓性思考。

When all homework or student work has a number or a letter on it,

一旦學生的作業、作品 都被評定等級、標上分數，

and counts towards a final grade,

最後記錄到期末成績後，

rather than being used for practice, mistakes, feedback and revision,

它們就起不到練習、試錯、 反饋和修正的作用了，

we send the message that school is a performance zone.

我們讓孩子誤以為： 學校只是個讓你表現的地方。

The same is true in our workplaces.

職場中也同樣如此。

In the companies I consult with, I often see flawless execution cultures

那些諮詢我的公司， 我常見到領導者鼓勵推動

which leaders foster to encourage great work.

「完美執行 」的文化。

But that leads employees to stay within what they know

但這樣就會導致員工 僅僅停留在他們已知的範疇，

and not try new things,

而不去嘗試新的事物，

so companies struggle to innovate and improve,

公司因此很難創新、進步，

and they fall behind.

從而落居下風。

We can create more spaces for growth

我們可以透過交流，

by starting conversations with one another

為彼此開創進步的空間，

about when we want to be in each zone.

聊聊我們何時應該投身于何種狀態。

What do we want to get better at and how?

在哪些方面可以做得更好？

And when do we want to execute and minimize mistakes?

何時決策、怎樣控損？

That way, we gain clarity about what success is,

如此，我們可以明確什麽是成功、

when, and how to best support one another.

何時以及如何去支持對方。

But what if we find ourselves in a chronic high-stakes setting

但如果我們處在長期高風險狀態下，

and we feel we can't start those conversations yet?

並且無法展開這樣的交流怎麽辦？

Then here are three things that we can still do as individuals.

依然有三件事 是可以自己著手去做的。

First, we can create low-stakes islands in an otherwise high-stakes sea.

首先，是在高風險的海洋中， 開闢一塊低風險的島嶼。

These are spaces where mistakes have little consequence.

讓錯誤發生時不會造成嚴重的後果。

For example, we might find a mentor or a trusted colleague

比如説，我們可以找一位導師 或可以信任的同事，

with whom we can exchange ideas or have vulnerable conversations

和他們分享想法，或是接受批評。

or even role-play.

甚至角色扮演。

Or we can ask for feedback-oriented meetings as projects progress.

或者是隨著項目的進展， 舉辦反饋會議。

Or we can set aside time to read or watch videos or take online courses.

又或者我們可以抽出時間去閱讀 或看視頻或是參加線上課程。

Those are just some examples.

這只是幾個例子。

Second, we can execute and perform as we're expected,

第二，我們可以實踐 並達成期望的表現，

but then reflect on what we could do better next time,

但事後反思如何改進，

like Beyoncé does,

就像碧昂斯那樣。

and we can observe and emulate experts.

我們還可以觀察和模仿專家，

The observation, reflection and adjustment is a learning zone.

這些觀察、反思、調整 都能讓我們學習到很多。

And finally, we can lead

最後，我們可以引導

and lower the stakes for others by sharing what we want to get better at,

並降低彼此的風險，問他們， 我們在哪方面可以再取得進步，

by asking questions about what we don't know,

透過詢問未知的問題、

by soliciting feedback and by sharing our mistakes

徵求意見、 分享失誤，

and what we've learned from them,

並從中汲取教訓，

so that others can feel safe to do the same.

如此其他人 也就能安心地做同樣的事。

Real confidence is about modeling ongoing learning.

真正的自信是對不斷學習的展示。

What if, instead of spending our lives doing, doing, doing,

如果，我們沒有把人生 耗費在做、做、做、

performing, performing, performing,

表現、表現、表現上，

we spent more time exploring,

而是更多地去探索、

asking,

詢問、

listening,

傾聽、

experimenting, reflecting,

實踐、反思、

striving and becoming?

拼命去成為想成為的人，會怎麽樣？

What if we each always had something

如果我們每個人，都有某些事情

we were working to improve?

讓我們可為之努力，從而提升呢？

What if we created more low-stakes islands

如果我們創造更多的低風險區域

and waters?

和環境呢？

And what if we got clear,

如果我們自己

或整個團隊都清楚知道，

within ourselves and with our teammates,

about when we seek to learn and when we seek to perform,

何時學習、何時表現，

so that our efforts can become more consequential,

如此我們的努力就會有更多回報，

our improvement never-ending

就可以精益求精，

and our best even better?

團隊就會越來越好。

Thank you.

謝謝。