Dawn's Evolution

For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. - Matthew 25:29

Outliers, the story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell.

According to Mr. Gladwell's new book Outliers, a person's success is dependent far more on circumstance than it is on your own input or ability. Ability and input are still important factors but both are out shined by the importance of circumstance.

You can be smart and hard working and yet never amount to anything, to be successful you have to hard working and in the right place at the right time.
According to Mr. Gladwell to be successful you have to be very lucky.

The book is divided into 2 parts and 9 sections:
Introduction: The Roseto mystery

Part 1: Opportunity

• Sect. 1 The Matthew effect
• Sect. 2 The 10,000 hour rule
• Sect. 3 The trouble with geniuses part 1
• Sect. 4 The trouble with geniuses part 2
• Sect. 5 The three lessons of Joe Flom

Part 2: Legacy

• Sect. 6 Harlan, Kentucky
• Sect. 7 The ethnic theory of plane crashes
• Sect. 8 Rice paddies and math tests
• Sect. 9 Marita's bargain

Epilogue: A Jamaican story

My thoughts
The book is a wonderful read, full of interesting and wonderful anecdotes that really make you rethink the way you have always seen success and talent.
In the book Mr. Gladwell tells us about how many successful men rose to prominence because of -their handwork,
-knowing the right people,
-good social skills,
-being born in the right period and
-and being at the right location at the right time.

The myth that is talent is redefined in Outliers as being: the will and drive to work hard in your chosen field.
There are no people who are naturally gifted at anything, there are only those who choose to work hard to master various disciplines.

I loved this book because it forces people who hide behind the talent myth to get up and own up to where their life is right now.
It tells you that you can excel in anything if you work hard enough,
I don't need a super high I.Q. to be truly successful in my life,
In order to get what I want out of life I have position myself appropriately.

Near the ending of Outliers the author does broach a controversial subject: the effect our culture, place of birth, race and upbringing has on your ability to be successful. He even argues that race sometimes plays a very important role.

The epilogue: A Jamaican story, was something I really could relate to because I grew up in a similar environment. That same culture still exists today so it was interesting to read about its origin.

None of Mr. Gladwell's ideas are new but he knows how to keep a reader, especially someone with a short attention span like myself, interested in the written words. The entire book is written in a way that it looks more like a series of fun stories, some ending happily while others were tragic.
It really forces the reader to think about the type of education they received, their own input, their past and upbringing.
In what category do you fit? Are you the genius that could not make it because the world was against you?
Or are you the one who knows how to convince others to give you that chance?
Are you the type of person who can spend hours on a math assignment? Or do you give up after the first few minutes and seek help? What type of Outlier are you? Are you even an Outlier?

I highly reccomend this book and give it a 8/10 rating.

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