Outliers

I started reading this book today called "Outliers," by Malcom Gladwell. He wrote a pretty popular book several years ago called, "The Tipping Point," basically about when a product or service reaches such popularity that it "tips" to the next level.



"Outliers" is a book about success. From what I have read so far, the book seems to be analyzing why some people are successful, and in theory, why some people are not. I've read the first 100 pages and have thought about the theories Gladwell proposes many times today.



First, he writes about the fact that when a person is born--that being, the month when a person is born--is a good indication of success. Gladwell theorizes that people who are born in the early months of a year, Jan-March, are more likely to be successful at something because of the assumed "cut-off" period in both education opportunities and sporting opportunities. Gladwell looks at the most successful Canadian hockey players and notes that there are a greater number of successful players who were born in the earlier months of a year, than those born much later. Same thing goes for educational successes. Those born before the "cut off" period, where more likely to succeed than those born just after the cut-off period. Maturity level has a lot to do with that in both cases.



Gladwell also argues that those who were born before a certain cut-off are more likely to succeed because the amount of attention given to those students/athletes. I was born on January 14. I am a perfect candidate for success in this theory.



Another area Gladwell looks at is the total number of hours given to a particular study or a certain art that can be an indicator of success. Gladwell writes that the common total number of hours given to practice of a subject is about 10,000 hours. Gladwell cites examples like Bill Gates, Bobby Fischer, Bill Joy. All people who have studied or practiced their given expertise, for at least 10,000 hours. Gladwell writes that people who dedicate so much time to something are destined to be successful because at some point, the 10,000 hours of study become part of the person's make-up. It defines, to a certain extent, who that person is.



I was thinking about things that I have dedicated a large number of hours to, which should help prove this theory.



One is reading. I love to read. Great readers make great writers. I feel that I have probably "studied" over 10,000 reading hours over the course of my life, which technically makes me an expert; it makes me successful, somehow.

I like to write, but I am not sure I have racked up 10,000 hours. I like to eat, to sleep, to talk, to surf the Internet, but do those things mark my success?



Another thing is playing billiards (pool). When I was growing up, I'd spend hours in front of the pool table. We had one in my basement. I would set-up real-life shots and practice. I would set-up trick shots and figure out new ways to make them work. I feel like I became an expert at winning the game of pool. I was successful and people liked to learn from me. It didn't take much effort, per say. Just the desire to improve upon a skill that interested me.



I played billiards tonight and think I might need a few more hours before I am what Gladwell describes as a success. I am in no hurry to get there and am excited about the other ways in which I can be defined by the successes I have seen.