Federer, Nadal and Djokovic: A Lesson in ignoring advice

In Tennis, there was a special moment in history: The 3 greatest of all time -- competed at the exact same time.

George Mack

Federer, Nadal and Djokovic: A Lesson in ignoring advice

In Tennis, there was a special moment in history: The 3 greatest of all time -- competed at the exact same time.

Federer. Nadal. Djokovic.

Behind their success, is such a beautiful idea I can't stop thinking about...

Matthew Syed tells a wonderful story of watching them warm up before Wimbledon at Aorangi Park.

When Nadal warmed up, it was pure agression. His biceps were bulging. He sprinted up and down like a man possessed. His shirt was dripping in sweat.

When Djovocick warmed up, it was pure emotionless calibration. He was measured and scientific with every shot.

When Federer warmed up, you could hear him giggling before he arrived. He's doing trick shots, caressing the ball and exploring his own creativity.

The beautiful lesson from this is that the 3 GOAT's existed at the exact same time... And had 3 unique approaches personalised to them.

There was no "right way" of doing things that they all repeated.

In the age of infinite informaiton on the internet, it's so easy to download a new guru's advice without asking: "Will this work for me?"

Instead: Personalise, always personalise.

When someone gives you advice, sandbox it and ask: Are they giving me the Nadal approach? The Djovocick approach? The Federer approach?

Jensen Huang, the CEO of NVIDIA, has a great filter he puts all advice through: "What does this mean to me?".

It's better to have an OK playbook that leans into your strengths than a great playbook that leans into your weaknesses.

Self-awareness is a helluva drug.

----

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Table of contents

Federer, Nadal and Djokovic: A Lesson in ignoring advice

In Tennis, there was a special moment in history: The 3 greatest of all time -- competed at the exact same time.

Federer. Nadal. Djokovic.

Behind their success, is such a beautiful idea I can't stop thinking about...

Matthew Syed tells a wonderful story of watching them warm up before Wimbledon at Aorangi Park.

When Nadal warmed up, it was pure agression. His biceps were bulging. He sprinted up and down like a man possessed. His shirt was dripping in sweat.

When Djovocick warmed up, it was pure emotionless calibration. He was measured and scientific with every shot.

When Federer warmed up, you could hear him giggling before he arrived. He's doing trick shots, caressing the ball and exploring his own creativity.

The beautiful lesson from this is that the 3 GOAT's existed at the exact same time... And had 3 unique approaches personalised to them.

There was no "right way" of doing things that they all repeated.

In the age of infinite informaiton on the internet, it's so easy to download a new guru's advice without asking: "Will this work for me?"

Instead: Personalise, always personalise.

When someone gives you advice, sandbox it and ask: Are they giving me the Nadal approach? The Djovocick approach? The Federer approach?

Jensen Huang, the CEO of NVIDIA, has a great filter he puts all advice through: "What does this mean to me?".

It's better to have an OK playbook that leans into your strengths than a great playbook that leans into your weaknesses.

Self-awareness is a helluva drug.

----

If you enjoyed this, it's taken from my newsletter.

Get all my best ideas for free when you join. Link below.

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