The Science of Intelligent Achievement

26One Non‐Negotiable is Worth a Thousand To‐Dos

On this subject, I do not wish to think, or to speak, or write, with moderation … I will not equivocate—I will not excuse—I will not retreat a single inch.

—William Lloyd Garrison

In graduate school, I loved creating lists. I would write and rewrite lists of journal articles to read, experiments to do, people to network with, and workout routines to complete at night.

Every time I created a new list, I felt really productive, like I had just created something concrete, something that moved me one step closer to accomplishing my goals.

Of course, I never read any of the articles on the list; I only did the experiments I was told to do; and, once, I showed up to the gym and did the same workout ...