How To Achieve Bigger Goals By Changing The Odds

Dive in for a fascinating read as you discover the life-changing power of probabilistic thinking, taught by Kyle Austin Young in his new book, Success Is A Numbers Game.

“Every goal that you’re pursuing has two hidden numbers attached to it—a probability of success and a probability of failure,” explains Young, “If you can make the first number bigger and the second number smaller, you can rewrite your predicted outcome.”

“Whether you’re trying to start a business, run a marathon, get a promotion, earn a pilot’s license, grow a bumper crop of tomatoes, or sign an acting deal, these two percentages are always lurking in the shadows predicting what is going to happen.”

But, adds Young, "Most of us never think about them. We assume our odds are unknowable and unchangeable. This dangerous lie leads millions of people to fail at goals where they were perfectly capable of succeeding. You can choose a smarter path,” encourages Young.

In Success is a Numbers Game, you’ll discover:

Success Diagram: A game-changing new way to diagram a goal and deepen your understanding of how likely you are to achieve it. Success diagraming gives you a clearer view of the path ahead, the obstacles you might face, and most importantly, your odds of success.

Probability Hacking: A five-step framework for hacking your “success diagram” to dramatically improve your odds of getting the outcome you want.

Goal-Oriented Decision-Making: An upgraded approach to decision making that illuminates optimal choices by exposing potential futures to help you make smarter, more confident choices.

Goal Strategies: A simple test for knowing which of your biggest goals to prioritize and which to quit immediately. Or, when to pivot with purpose when the odds aren’t on your side.

Developed by award-winning strategy consultant Young — a writer for Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Psychology Today — this probability hacking framework harnesses tactics that have been battle tested in business, art, education, philanthropy, politics, sports, and more.

The book includes stories of the life-changing power of probabilistic thinking from Abraham Lincoln, Marilyn Monroe, and a team of Olympic athletes. And don’t miss the part of the book where Young debunks this popular “wisdom” about success (and what to do instead):

“If at first you don’t’ succeed, try, try, again.”
“Hard work is the key to success.”

In the context of a single goal, Young's system could be the secret advantage that changes your outcome. Over the course of several goals, it could transform the trajectory of your career. Applied to a lifetime of goals, it can level up your legacy.

“By better understanding your odds of success and carefully using this simple system, you’re ready to win more, lose less, and wake up with the sturdy confidence that comes from having the odds on your side,” says Young.

Kyle Austin Young

Young shares these additional insights with us:

Question: What made you write Success Is A Number Game?

Young: I believe millions of people are failing at goals where they could have been successful because they lack the tools to optimize their odds. Over the past decade, my consulting work has empowered me to develop a powerful system for accomplishing big, important goals. I've shared bits and pieces in HBR, Forbes, Fast Company, and Psychology Today. The book was an opportunity to help people experience a more comprehensive breakthrough.

Question: How can we become more resilient?

Young: When we think about how to become more resilient by overcoming self-doubt, many people focus on the idea of self. We're afraid we don't have what it takes, and we respond with positive thoughts about our ability or potential. I encourage people to focus less on self and more on their odds of success.

Success isn't all about you — it's about avoiding potential bad outcomes. When we focus on what we can do to improve our odds, we can escape the hamster wheel of self-doubt by recognizing that:

1) Our ability to control the future is limited. Failure is not an indictment on our worth or potential.

2) When we do everything we can to optimize our odds, we can expect to win more over time and enjoy more success in our lives.

Thank you to the book’s publisher for sending me an advance copy of the book.

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