Outliers

After having finished reading Malcolm Gladwell’s new book Outliers for a few weeks now, I have had a good time to understand what he has meant and the amazing points he makes throughout the book.

Practice Practice Practice

Gladwell makes a point that geniuses are made not born. He reflects people like Bill Gates and their background stories to their success. With 10,000 hours of practice in any subject or any event. If anyone has the availability to be able to dedicate themselves to about or over 10,000 hours of practice they can excel at whatever they try. Bill Gates had the luxury during his primary education access to computers on a daily basis where he started learning. Then during his highschool years, the PTA had submitted for a shared computer lab with the local university (If I remember correctly). This allowed him to spend all of his time in front of the screen practicing his coding and plugging away. Eventually, an opportunity was opened for a position in coding, and Gates took it. His job gave him even more time in the lab and even more time coding. By the time Gates began to work on his OS he had over 10,000 hours of practice allowing him to succeed with creating the newest most efficient operating system of the time leading to the Microsoft Corp.

Timing is Everything

In this case, Malcolm Gladwell explains that when you’re born and your family history has everything to do with your likelihood for sucess. I’d like to use an example of my own in this case. Right now the hospitlity industry among many is one that is failing and if doesn’t pick up soon many small and large companies will be done for. I feel pity for anyone around my age and is graduating within the year in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Because businesses are failing their travel to hotels, and their buisness with them in conferences and room occupancy is declining no one is benefiting. So what will they do? It’s difficult for anyone with a knowledge of Hotels and Tourism to try to get into an industry that is getting hit harder than most. So to treat it like Gladwell, if you were born around 1987-1989, you’re in a tough spot for getting out into a failing economy with a good job. However, in a few years you could be in great luck when businesses are going to have to send out more employees.

That’s my two small comparisons and reviews of Outliers, but Gladwell provides many many more. The book is a great buy, and I will even sell you my copy for cheap if you want it.  Give it a glance I’m sure you’ll like it.

Photo by Wave / Particle / Pixel