logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2024
22m 20s

166. Why Relying on Talent Alone Will Fa...

Matt Abrahams, Think Fast Talk Smart
About this episode

Why practice is the key to success.

If there’s anyone who knows about performing under pressure, it’s former NFL quarterback Andrew Luck. Whether playing in front of thousands or presenting to ten, his key to success is practice.

"There's a romantic notion that you rise to the occasion," says Luck, a Stanford graduate and four-time Pro Bowl selection. "But I think you settle to the level of your training. We practiced those high-pressure situations all the time.” From calling critical game-winning plays to navigating communication off the field, our performance in high-stakes situations, Luck maintains, is determined by our level of preparation.

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Luck and host Matt Abrahams explore how deliberate practice can help us hone our performance across all domains of our lives.  From managing high-pressure situations to building psychological safety in homes and workplaces, Luck shares insights gained from both sides of the field — as a player and now as a coach.

Episode Reference Links:


Connect:


Chapters:

  • (00:00) - Introduction
  • (02:38) - Communication in High-Stress Situations
  • (04:48) - Staying Calm Under Pressure
  • (07:18) - Earning Leadership Through Respect
  • (08:41) - Overcoming Conflict Aversion
  • (09:48) - Decision to Retire from the NFL
  • (11:55) - Returning to Education
  • (13:33) - Life Lessons Through Coaching
  • (17:20) - The Final Three Questions
  • (20:28) - Conclusion

  ********
Thank you to our sponsors.
 These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.

Strawberry.me. Get 50% off your first coaching session today at Strawberry.me/smart

Up next
Nov 20
244. Community Creates Change: Build Relationships That Actually Matter
<p><em>Why community is the most powerful tool for transformation.</em></p><p><br></p><p>Community isn't just a feel-good buzzword. According to <a href="https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/gina-bianchini/">Gina Bianchini</a>, it's a catalyst for personal and collective transform ... Show More
26m 33s
Nov 17
243. Rethinks: How Lessons from Neuroscience Can Help You Communicate Confidently
<p><em>Reduce speaking anxiety and achieve your communication goals.</em></p><p>“There’s no difference between the physiological response to something that you’re excited about and something that you’re nervous about or dreading,” says <a href="https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests ... Show More
28m 56s
Nov 13
242. Tech Tools: The Power of Showing, Not Telling
<p><em>Transform how you communicate with tools that make your message stick.</em></p><p><br></p><p>Sometimes the best way to explain an idea is to show it. That’s why Loom was built — to make communication more visual, authentic, and efficient. By combining video, screen sharing ... Show More
14m 31s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2024
Winning Through Failure with Brendon Burchard
Navigate FAILURE and cultivate GREATNESS with the #1 and #2 Mindset and peak performance coaches IN THE WORLD! With the incredible Brendon Burchard by my side, we're tackling a theme that resonates deeply in both our lives and the journeys of countless others: the art of turning ... Show More
30m 59s
Jan 2025
How to Make Better Decisions Under Pressure
Many people believe that leaders instinctively make the best decisions based on past experience, almost like muscle memory. But Carol Kauffman, assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and the founder of the Institute of Coaching, challenges this view. She explains why falli ... Show More
28m 14s
Apr 2025
398: 5 Signs You're Undervalued at Work & How to Reclaim Your Identity for Long-Term Success
In today’s episode you’ll discover how to know if you’re being undervalued at work and what to do about it.Many top talent professionals are burning out not because of a lack of ability, but because they’re stuck in environments that don’t see or leverage their full value. In thi ... Show More
30m 52s
Sep 19
247. The Words That Sabotage Your Success: Why High-Achievers Struggle Socially
What if the voice in your head is the real reason you walked out of that board meeting feeling like a fraud, even after delivering exceptional results? In this episode, we dive deep into the cognitive psychology research that proves your internal language directly creates your so ... Show More
18m 3s
Jun 2024
Why Your NETWORK Is Your ULTIMATE Draft Pick | Patrick Bet-David EP 658
<p>Have you listened to the <a href="https://link.chtbl.com/1547-pod">FULL EPISODE yet?</a></p><p>"The edge is working under somebody that's a killer and you're able to get behind closed doors, not just the front because the front is an ad, but I want to get in the room with five ... Show More
7m 27s
Sep 11
246. Why Career Success Doesn't Translate at the Cocktail Hour
On paper, you look like the total package — successful, capable, and impressive. But the moment you walk into a networking event or business reception, your chest tightens and your mind races. You know you belong there, yet you feel awkward and ill at ease. In this episode, I unp ... Show More
13m 33s
Aug 27
Beyond a Perfect Score
<p><em><span style= "mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">"Prepping for the GMAT was one of the biggest, most self-motivated projects of my adult life. It gave me concrete feedback I hadn't experienced in years. Improvement wasn't visible every day, but I could see how my ... Show More
30m 14s
Feb 2025
217. Silence Your Inner Critic: How to Stop Caring What Others Think (Without Burning Professional Bridges)
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style= "font-size: 12pt; line-height: 110%; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> Are you tired of holding back in meetings, second-guessing your decisions, or letting the fear of judgment keep you from sharing your brilliant ideas? In this value-packed e ... Show More
21m 21s
Jan 2024
663: How to Grow From Your Errors, with Amy Edmondson
Amy Edmondson: Right Kind of Wrong Amy Edmondson is the Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at the Harvard Business School, where she studies people and organizations seeking to make a positive difference in the world through the work they do. She has pioneered the c ... Show More
39m 30s
Jul 2024
Unlock Your Potential And Do Impossible Things
Get ready for an episode that's all about breaking barriers and achieving the impossible! In this throwback mashup, you'll learn the principles and strategies that have propelled some of the most successful individuals to the top of their fields including: Stephen Scoggins share ... Show More
1h 19m