Introduction - Breaking the mold
a stroke of luck
The formula of the standardization era
The advent of the era of personalization
Change of mindset
Dark Horse Project
Essential commonalities
A choice, not a coincidence
The opposite truth
New definition
Success is possible for everyone

Chapter 1 - Standardization Agreement
Turning point
crooked road
The source of suppression of individuality
Standardization of production systems
standardization of labor
Standardization of learning
Standardized career course
Commandments of Standardization Agreements
fatal flaw
Crossroads of choice
Eureka moment
pioneering an unknown path
The emergence of a new universe

Chapter 2 - Recognizing Micro-Motivations
The most important thing
True motivation
Disadvantages of Comprehensive Universal Motivation
Dark Horse Thinking I
The power of the smallest motives
Criticism Game
Diversity of micro-motives
Design and combination of passion

Chapter 3 - Discerning Choices
Find a Choice
Deprivation of the opportunity to choose
Select 'Choose'
Dark Horse Thinking II
Active choice
Probability vs.
compatibility
Luck vs.
Control over destiny
A clever move
A road without a destination
Risky choice
Why take risks again?
Decision and action

Chapter 4 - Understanding Strategy
Dark Horse Thinking III
The meaning of strategy
The one and only best way
Strengths Reinforcement Strategy
Motivation vs.
merit
The problem of trial and error
Combination of strengths
Self-care on another level
There is no best way
Personalization strategy
Face reality

Chapter 5 - Ignoring the Destination
Dark Horse Thinking IV
Diversity of unclear advantages
Standardization of Excellence
The relativity of time
The inevitability of change
The moment of fate
Goal vs.
destination
slope rise
Dark Horse Prescription
Changes in micro-motives
Inspection - A battle over the true potential of human beings

Chapter 6 - Illusions and Deception
The Deception of Perception
Soviet Union vs.
USA
Same assumptions, same system
Talent quota system
Talent 'selection' system
Incompatibility of quotas and standards
The deception of self-definition
Talent Simultaneity
irrefutable evidence
Discovery of a new moon
individuality
Patterns of micro-motivation
jagged talent
Infinite possibilities
Remaining choices

Chapter 7 - Dark Horse Contract
talent aristocracy
The operating structure of quota system
The corruption of meritocracy
The Hunger Games
winds of change
democratic meritocracy
Approval of new contract
Obligations of the contract
The illusion of equal opportunity
Guaranteed personalization
Guiding the choice
pioneers
Freedom and Responsibility of Choice
Duties as a citizen

Conclusion - The Pursuit of Happiness
Self-evident truths
Recognition of individuality
The meaning of happiness
The law of primacy
positive feedback loop
The positive-sum game of fulfillment

Acknowledgements
Huzhou
Search

The standardization era's formula for success is over.
"Keep your mind on the destination, work hard, and persevere to the end!" This message, which we consider the surest strategy for success, is actually a product of industrialization.
With the transition to a factory-centered manufacturing economy in the early 20th century, an era of standardization arrived.
As assembly lines, mass production, organizational hierarchies, and compulsory education became widespread, many of the systems of everyday life—products, jobs, diplomas, and so on—became standardized.
In the age of standardization, the concept of defining success also emerged.
Success meant climbing the ladder one rung at a time, following a set career path, and acquiring wealth and status.
Ignoring each individual's unique characteristics and strengths, they created the illusion that simply following a straight path to the destination would guarantee employment, social status, and economic stability.
But is this advice still valid today?

Times have changed.
We live in a world where Netflix and Amazon can recommend movies and books that will suit our personal tastes with uncanny accuracy.
YouTube, on-demand TV, Google's personalized search, personalized news services, and various social media platforms are becoming part of our daily lives.
The common characteristic of these new technologies is ‘personalization.’
Our society is transitioning from an industrial economy dominated by large, fixed, hierarchical organizations to an increasingly diverse and decentralized knowledge-service economy driven by freelancers, self-employed individuals, and free agents.


Wealth and Power vs.
Personal Achievement, What is your definition of success?
The concept that is breathing life into this era of individualization is 'individuality,' defined by author Todd Rose in his previous work, 'The End of Average.'
In a 2018 survey of 3,000 men and women conducted by the nonprofit think tank Populace, 74 percent of respondents said that people who were successful in social justice were “powerful,” while 91 percent of those who were successful in personal justice were “goal-oriented.”
While most of us believe that we must be wealthy and powerful to be considered successful by others, we ourselves define success as personal fulfillment and the accomplishments of our own decisions.

Despite the growing demand for personalized success, scientific and academic research remains stuck in the era of standardization.
For nearly a century, researchers have clung to a uniform concept of success and stubbornly clung to one question:
'What is the best way to achieve success?'

Dark horses outside the system, breaking the rules of the game!
Todd Rose and Oggy Ogas, authors of Dark Horse, raised a slightly different perspective on the question while conducting research at Harvard University.
'What's the best way to achieve success?' To answer this question, they began researching those who followed unconventional paths to success, rather than those that followed the academic conventions.
Because they were the ones who achieved such success.

Although now recognized as a leading thinker, Todd Rose dropped out of high school due to ADHD and became a father of two at the age of twenty, and renowned neuroscientist Oggy Ogas dropped out of college five times and became a used book seller.
Drawing on their own experiences of struggling to follow standard formulas and failing time and time again, the authors studied those who succeeded outside the system to find ways for each individual to achieve excellence.
And those people were named 'dark horses'.

It's easy to assume that the dark horses who succeed by defying the rules of the game are either impulsive rebels who resist the system or eccentrics with more daring personalities than others.
But that's not the case at all.
There are some who are bold and reckless, and others who are timid and polite.
Some people enjoy fomenting division, while others prefer a conciliatory attitude.
There were also masters who suddenly changed their career path and jumped into a completely different field.
One man earned a PhD in literature, then trekked into the frigid North and returned as an expert on exotic fungi, while another woman studied cognitive linguistics at an Ivy League graduate school, then dropped out and became a world-class poker prodigy.


A new definition of success, discovered by the Harvard Dark Horse Project team.
So, what do these dark horses, who broke the mold and achieved greatness despite seemingly slim odds, have in common? A significant number of them cited "satisfaction."
Some people spoke of a strong sense of 'purpose' or 'enthusiasm' and 'pride' in their activities.
Some declared that ‘this is my calling’ or spoke quietly of living ‘an authentic life’.
Although their methods of expression differed, all dark horses were deeply immersed in what they were doing and felt proud of their current selves.
In short, dark horses are living meaningful and rewarding lives now.

People generally think that when it comes to making a living, they have to choose between doing what they love and doing what they have to do.
But when you look at the dark horses you'll encounter in this book, you'll feel like that was the wrong choice.
They used their individuality to achieve both skill and enjoyment.
By choosing the situation that best suits you and immersing yourself in fulfilling activities that maximize your learning, development, and performance, you have created the most effective environment for developing excellence in your work.
In this way, dark horses are proposing a new definition of success that fits well into the modern age of individualization.
It is a definition that recognizes that 'individuality' is truly important.

Vivid lessons from unknown dark horses: You too can be the best in your life!
Throughout history, countless philosophers and spiritual leaders have exhorted us to “follow our passions” or “prioritize our happiness.”
But what you really need is not meaningless echoes in the air, but practical, concrete guidance to help you figure out what you truly want in your life and how to achieve it.
Dark Horse provides just such guidelines.
.
The primary use of 『Dark Horse』 is as a user manual for the dark horse mindset.
The four elements of the dark horse mindset outlined in this book have been proven in practice by a wide variety of people, both men and women, with all kinds of ambitions.
This book doesn't feature Steven Spielberg, Serena Williams, or Steve Jobs.
Instead, you'll meet someone who worked as an assistant director under Spielberg, an Olympic shot putter, one of Steve Jobs' first hires, a White House political strategist turned closet organizer, and a management consultant who quit a lucrative job to open a supper club.

The success stories of these unknown dark horses offer far more lessons than those of famous people who are well-known to everyone.
The success of these Dark Horses demonstrates that it's not just for the privileged or the elite, but for everyone. The ultimate goal of "Dark Horse" is to help you become the "best you" in your entire life, not just the "best in the world" standing alone atop a narrow pyramid.
Whether you're stuck in a job without dreams or hope, trying to take your first steps in life, or feeling lost and adrift, this book will guide you to a life filled with passion, purpose, and fulfillment.