The Story of Success
I finished probably the best book from Malcolm Mawxell called: Outlier The story of Success.
Listening to it via CD books allowed me put his ideas into greater context. In where we as a society tend to mythologize the likes of Bill Gates as someone who solely on his brilliance and sheer will power somehow got to the success they achieved. No success happens in isolation as there are always unique chances and opportunities that together with ambition and determination ignites success.
In some ways the book has allowed me to give myself some credit, that despite having none of the advantages, I have come as far as I have, with still energy and ambition to go much further. This time with a higher emphasis on making connections with the context necessary for success.
Gladwell puts the success stories into context where for instance all the great silicon valley tycoons were born between 1954-1958. If they were born before or after those dates no matter how brilliant they would have either not have the infrastructure to be successful or being too late to get into the game. Some of the highlights from the book:
With my latest series of setbacks I am far more resolute and determine than ever before. The funny thing is that although my mother was not able to articulate it the way Gladwell does, she was right all along to 1) encourage me to surpass all obstacles and 2) not feel bad because I was not doing so any faster than I was.
Listening to it via CD books allowed me put his ideas into greater context. In where we as a society tend to mythologize the likes of Bill Gates as someone who solely on his brilliance and sheer will power somehow got to the success they achieved. No success happens in isolation as there are always unique chances and opportunities that together with ambition and determination ignites success.
In some ways the book has allowed me to give myself some credit, that despite having none of the advantages, I have come as far as I have, with still energy and ambition to go much further. This time with a higher emphasis on making connections with the context necessary for success.
Gladwell puts the success stories into context where for instance all the great silicon valley tycoons were born between 1954-1958. If they were born before or after those dates no matter how brilliant they would have either not have the infrastructure to be successful or being too late to get into the game. Some of the highlights from the book:
- Accumulation of advantages lead to success
- Combination of errors lead to disasters.
- Timing is as critical as preparation and opportunity.
- 60% of all NHL players are born between January and April. Giving them development physical advantage to anyone born after that.
- Most computer tycoons were born between 1954-1958 i.e. Bill Gates who at 1968 had unlimited access to mainframe time share computing. Thus giving him well over 10,000 ours of practice before he was in college.
- Preparation and ability has to meet with opportunity that often is bound within specific time frames.
- Intelligence without persuasive skills make us unable to make the mark.
- If you father is high power you know how to negotiate in a tight spot.
With my latest series of setbacks I am far more resolute and determine than ever before. The funny thing is that although my mother was not able to articulate it the way Gladwell does, she was right all along to 1) encourage me to surpass all obstacles and 2) not feel bad because I was not doing so any faster than I was.