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Economic Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Billionaires, artists, and geniuses share one surprising habit, and you can teach it to your child
iStock Beneath every billionaire, artist, or genius may lie an early love for music. Neuroscience reveals that playing an instrument activates nearly every part of the brain, nurturing imagination, time-awareness, and innovation. (Representational image: iStock) It might not be coding, advanced math, or public speaking. In fact, the most transformational skill shared by some of the world's most brilliant minds is far more rhythmic, soulful—and often underestimated. According to a report from CNBC Make It , from tech titans like Steve Jobs to classical artists, polymaths, and scientific thinkers, there's one habit that echoes through their lives: playing a musical instrument. Behind the melodies and scales lies a secret neurological workout that shapes some of the sharpest, most adaptable, and successful minds on the planet. In a now-famous interview from the 1995 documentary Triumph of the Nerds , Apple co-founder Steve Jobs reflected on what made his team different. It wasn't just their coding prowess—it was their creative backgrounds. 'The people who made the Macintosh were musicians, poets, artists, zoologists and historians… who also happened to be the best computer scientists in the world,' Jobs said. — curiouscamilo (@curiouscamilo) Far from being a casual hobby, music was central to their innovative DNA. Science backs him up. When a person learns to play an instrument, their brain engages in complex, multi-sensory processing. Areas related to motor coordination, auditory pattern recognition, emotion regulation, and even decision-making light up—firing in synchrony like an orchestra of neurons. Over time, this rewiring strengthens cognitive abilities that spill over into every domain of life. Musicians don't just play notes—they visualize entire performances. They anticipate the feel of the keys, the swell of the crescendo, and the emotion of an audience long before they step on stage. This kind of mental simulation becomes second nature, a potent psychological tool that helps them manifest real-world outcomes. It's the same kind of visualization elite athletes and CEOs use to win matches or lead teams through high-stakes decisions. For most people, time feels like something to chase or escape. But for musicians, time becomes something to live within. Every second is measurable—each beat, pause, and phrase precise. In this discipline, distraction isn't just a nuisance; it has a cost. The focused attention required to stay in tempo wires the brain for presence, purpose, and patience. That sacred relationship with time carries over into how these individuals manage meetings, relationships, and even crises. Every musician hits a wall. A note out of reach. A rhythm too fast. But there's no shortcut—you have to keep showing up. This practice of facing difficulty head-on cultivates mental grit. You learn to view struggle not as failure but as a gateway to mastery. This is why so many high achievers don't fear discomfort—they seek it. Music is emotional architecture. It helps individuals not just express but shape their internal state. Whether calming nerves before a speech or shifting tone during conflict, musicians grow adept at managing emotions with deliberate control. This emotional intelligence proves invaluable in leadership, negotiation, and creativity. Where others label a task boring, musicians get curious. Why is attention drifting? What are we trying to improve? With clear goals, even repetitive scales become meaningful. This mindset transforms how we approach any 'boring' task—from emails to spreadsheets. It trains the brain to ask: 'What is this building toward?' And that shift—finding purpose in process—is a hallmark of top performers. Sometimes a hand won't stretch far enough on the fretboard. Sometimes a passage just won't click. So musicians adapt. They rearrange, improvise, try again—until friction sparks a breakthrough. This ability to think flexibly, especially in the face of limitation, is the birthplace of innovation. It's not about perfection. It's about persistence—and pivoting. Once you've trained your ear to distinguish between 'good' and 'great,' you can't unhear it. That sensitivity builds an internal compass. Whether it's a product, a conversation, or a presentation, musicians often bring a heightened sense of quality control. Excellence becomes the expectation—not out of arrogance, but out of reverence for what's possible. There's a shift that happens when you perform. You're no longer just playing—you're communicating. Musicians intuitively begin creating with the audience in mind. They ask: Will this move someone? Will this matter? That ethos translates to everything—from business pitches to community-building. It's not about impressing—it's about connecting. If you're a parent, this might be the most important investment you can make in your child's future. If you're an adult, it's never too late to begin. Learning to play an instrument is not about becoming the next Mozart—it's about equipping your mind for resilience, focus, empathy, and creation. In a world of hacks and life shortcuts, music offers no easy way out. But perhaps that's exactly why it works so well. After all, the most successful minds don't just think differently—they listen, feel, and adapt differently. And often, that begins with a single note.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Billionaires, artists, and geniuses share one surprising habit, and you can teach it to your child
It might not be coding, advanced math, or public speaking. In fact, the most transformational skill shared by some of the world's most brilliant minds is far more rhythmic, soulful—and often underestimated. According to a report from CNBC Make It , from tech titans like Steve Jobs to classical artists, polymaths, and scientific thinkers, there's one habit that echoes through their lives: playing a musical instrument. Behind the melodies and scales lies a secret neurological workout that shapes some of the sharpest, most adaptable, and successful minds on the planet. Steve Jobs knew it and neuroscientists agree In a now-famous interview from the 1995 documentary Triumph of the Nerds , Apple co-founder Steve Jobs reflected on what made his team different. It wasn't just their coding prowess—it was their creative backgrounds. 'The people who made the Macintosh were musicians, poets, artists, zoologists and historians… who also happened to be the best computer scientists in the world,' Jobs said. — curiouscamilo (@curiouscamilo) Far from being a casual hobby, music was central to their innovative DNA. Science backs him up. When a person learns to play an instrument, their brain engages in complex, multi-sensory processing. Areas related to motor coordination, auditory pattern recognition, emotion regulation, and even decision-making light up—firing in synchrony like an orchestra of neurons. Over time, this rewiring strengthens cognitive abilities that spill over into every domain of life. Imagination becomes a mental rehearsal Musicians don't just play notes—they visualize entire performances. They anticipate the feel of the keys, the swell of the crescendo, and the emotion of an audience long before they step on stage. This kind of mental simulation becomes second nature, a potent psychological tool that helps them manifest real-world outcomes. It's the same kind of visualization elite athletes and CEOs use to win matches or lead teams through high-stakes decisions. Time turns sacred For most people, time feels like something to chase or escape. But for musicians, time becomes something to live within. Every second is measurable—each beat, pause, and phrase precise. In this discipline, distraction isn't just a nuisance; it has a cost. The focused attention required to stay in tempo wires the brain for presence, purpose, and patience. That sacred relationship with time carries over into how these individuals manage meetings, relationships, and even crises. Discomfort becomes the path, not the obstacle Every musician hits a wall. A note out of reach. A rhythm too fast. But there's no shortcut—you have to keep showing up. This practice of facing difficulty head-on cultivates mental grit. You learn to view struggle not as failure but as a gateway to mastery. This is why so many high achievers don't fear discomfort—they seek it. Music is emotional architecture. It helps individuals not just express but shape their internal state. Whether calming nerves before a speech or shifting tone during conflict, musicians grow adept at managing emotions with deliberate control. This emotional intelligence proves invaluable in leadership, negotiation, and creativity. iStock From visualizing success to handling failure with grace, playing an instrument trains you for greatness, making it one of the most powerful skills for lifelong success. (Representational image: iStock) Boredom becomes data, not doom Where others label a task boring, musicians get curious. Why is attention drifting? What are we trying to improve? With clear goals, even repetitive scales become meaningful. This mindset transforms how we approach any 'boring' task—from emails to spreadsheets. It trains the brain to ask: 'What is this building toward?' And that shift—finding purpose in process—is a hallmark of top performers. Sometimes a hand won't stretch far enough on the fretboard. Sometimes a passage just won't click. So musicians adapt. They rearrange, improvise, try again—until friction sparks a breakthrough. This ability to think flexibly, especially in the face of limitation, is the birthplace of innovation. It's not about perfection. It's about persistence—and pivoting. Your standards skyrocket—and stay there Once you've trained your ear to distinguish between 'good' and 'great,' you can't unhear it. That sensitivity builds an internal compass. Whether it's a product, a conversation, or a presentation, musicians often bring a heightened sense of quality control. Excellence becomes the expectation—not out of arrogance, but out of reverence for what's possible. You create for others, not just yourself There's a shift that happens when you perform. You're no longer just playing—you're communicating. Musicians intuitively begin creating with the audience in mind. They ask: Will this move someone? Will this matter? That ethos translates to everything—from business pitches to community-building. It's not about impressing—it's about connecting. If you're a parent, this might be the most important investment you can make in your child's future. If you're an adult, it's never too late to begin. Learning to play an instrument is not about becoming the next Mozart—it's about equipping your mind for resilience, focus, empathy, and creation. In a world of hacks and life shortcuts, music offers no easy way out. But perhaps that's exactly why it works so well. After all, the most successful minds don't just think differently—they listen, feel, and adapt differently. And often, that begins with a single note.
CNBC
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNBC
The No. 1 skill to teach your kid 'as early as possible,' says psychology expert—even Steve Jobs agreed it makes you more successful
As a leadership consultant who studies workplace psychology, I've spent 30 years working with high performers across all industries. Again and again, one truth keeps proving itself: Being artistic in some way can transform you. Even Steve Jobs agreed when he was interviewed for the PBS documentary "Triumph of the Nerds" in 1995: "I think part of what made the Macintosh great was that the people working on it were musicians and poets and artists and zoologists and historians, who also happened to be the best computer scientists in the world." Of all the artistic fields, I've found that mastering a musical instrument is the most powerful for rewiring the brain for greatness. Playing an instrument — whether it's the piano, trumpet or guitar — activates nearly every part of your brain: motor control, pattern recognition, emotional regulation, creativity and stamina. That's why I believe parents should encourage their kids to learn an instrument as early as possible. Studies have consistently found that children who learn music are more likely to have increased IQ scores and better language development. Plus, it encourages their brain to operate at full capacity, building the neural foundation for mastery in pretty much everything. Here's why: Musicians don't just practice, they fantasize. They see the stage, hear the notes and feel the outcome long before it happens. Hence, musicians build skill while just visualizing playing. That ability to rehearse and mentally simulate outcomes is a superpower: You learn not just react to reality, but to create it. When you practice an instrument, time stops being abstract. You feel in real-time the cost of distraction and the miracle of being fully focused. Over time, you become fiercely time-conscious — not in a stressed way, but in a sacred one. You don't want to rush, you want to This discipline shapes everything, from how you run meetings to how you build relationships. Every musician has to face the parts of the music they hate and struggle with. There's no shortcut. You can't outsource it, nor avoid it. You have to lean in until the failure becomes fluency. While most people avoid uncomfortable moments in life, playing an instrument teaches you to seek those moments. You no longer panic at pain; you see it as a sign of growth. Music isn't just output. It's a way of regulating your inner world by changing your emotional state with sound, breath, rhythm and in how you prepare. It becomes an invaluable skill you carry into everything, like before a stressful conversation or during a conflict. You don't just express emotions anymore — you direct them. Musicians don't just play scales mindlessly. They know what they're aiming to improve: precision, control, phrasing. Without that goal, their attention drifts, and practice becomes boring. We often think stuff we do is boring, but boredom is . It's your brain telling you: "Show me what this is building toward." The insight that boredom is the absence of a goal changes everything. Instead of labeling tasks as boring or dull, you ask, "What's my goal here?" This makes you sharper, more engaged and harder to distract in any setting. Sometimes you can't play it right. Your hand won't stretch. Your fingers trip. So, you try it a different way. You improvise, rearrange, compose. Suddenly, the failure becomes fuel. This teaches you a profound lesson: When you can't follow the map, draw a new one. Innovation isn't a gift; it's a response to friction. Once you've heard the difference between "okay" and "exceptional," you can't unhear it. Once you've experienced how moments of excellence feels, mediocrity becomes unbearable. Music teaches you to expect more from yourself and others, not out of perfectionism but out of respect for what's possible. When you're playing an instrument, you can't help imagining an audience, maybe to impress but mostly to move someone, to say something without words. That habit reshapes how you approach everything. Your work becomes an expression of your standards, your values, your imagination. It forces you to ask: Is this good enough to matter to someone else? Will this make them think, feel, grow? Your brain's plasticity and ability to learn allows you to pick up a new instrument at almost any age, so it's never too late if you didn't learn to play music as a kid. 1. Pick the one that sparks emotion. You don't need logic hereWhat's an instrument that moves you? That makes you feel something? Piano, guitar, trumpet — follow the spark. 2. Practice for at least 20 minutes a day. Studies show that 20 to 30 minutes of focused practice can induce measurable brain changes, particularly in areas tied to motor skills and attention. 3. Celebrate improvement, not performance. Don't worry about being good. Track what you can do today that you couldn't do yesterday. Mastery is just small progress, compounded with love.,
Bloomberg
3 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Apple's Reliance on China Is About Far More Than Labor Costs
Last week, in a Truth Social post, US President Donald Trump threatened to slap 25% tariffs on iPhones until Apple starts manufacturing them in the US. Given Trump's track record on announcing and rescinding new tariffs, it's very possible that nothing will come of this. But the fascinating new book Apple in China (Scribner, May 13), by the Financial Times reporter Patrick McGee, explains why the company isn't going to start making large numbers of phones in the US, regardless of where the president's policies ultimately land. A major part of China's initial advantage as a manufacturer was low wages, but McGee convincingly argues that Apple's reliance on China is about far more than labor costs. The giant device-maker's unique approach to overseas manufacturing, developed at first out of desperation, has evolved into a formidable competitive advantage. It is just as responsible for Apple's success as the vision of Steve Jobs or the aesthetic gifts of Jony Ive, according to McGee. And it's not just Apple that benefited: McGee argues that the company's billions in investment and freely shared knowledge have been a major factor enabling the rise of China's own technology companies, allowing them to close the gap with Western competitors — Apple included — with surprising speed.
Business Insider
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky lays out the three key differences between founders and managers
In an interview on " The Diary of CEO" podcast, Chesky revealed the three crucial attributes he thinks founders have that managers don't. He says they have a unique love for the business as a company's "biological parent," they have "permission" to make big changes, and they know their metaphorical business baby better than anyone. "You can love something, but when you're the biological parent of something, it came from you, it is you," Chesky, who cofounded and built up Airbnb during the 2008 financial crisis, said. "There's a deep passion and love." Unlike managers, who often join a company once it's already built, founders have total control, or what Chesky calls "the permission." Building on the parental metaphor, he compared the concept to how parents can't tell other kids what to do, but can tell their own kids what to do. Whereas managers might not feel they have the latitude to rebrand a company, for example, founders likely do feel that authority, Chesky said. Lastly, Chesky said a founder knows the roots of their company — their baby, in this case — in a way a manager simply doesn't. "You built it, so you know how to rebuild it," he said. Founders know their company's foundational nuts and bolts from before it was even fully formed— he said they understand "the alloys, where they were sourced from." Yet Chesky also revealed two big problems for founders. Most, he said, can't scale up to run a huge company — and they bump up against the inevitable fact of their own mortality. "Great companies usually want to live longer than humans do, and so therefore you end up with the inevitable challenge that Disney and Steve Jobs had," he said. "Which is succession planning." Tech companies, including Microsoft and Amazon, have been shedding middle managers recently to cut out bureaucratic bloat, but experts previously told BI that the efforts could go too far. Entry-level job opportunities are also scant in the tech and finance worlds.
