Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers: The Story Of Success
Outliers Summary Success is mostly recognized by the person who succeeds, but most do not realize the factors that upturn someone to great success. In the book Outliers: The Story of Success, written by Malcolm Gladwell, lists prime examples of what it takes to be a true Outlier. An Outlier is someone that fits out of the ordinary and does not fit under the category of normal achievement. Gladwell demonstrates that almost all of society’s success stories are a paradigm; a pattern of fortunate events. Realizing that maybe we should be more aware of the paradigm of success in our world. Our perspective over the years has been that people complete success on their own, however, success has other driven forces. A true outlier does not obtain
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random success without other factors; rather they have practice, lucky opportunities, and cultural and societal advantages.
The first point Gladwell makes about outliers is practice. The one thing that makes someone standout is endeavoring many hours to make them great. It takes roughly ten-thousand hours to master an objective to become successful. However, ten-thousand hours is hard to reach by yourself. You have to have parents that are dedicated to show you at a young age. A lot of people are at a disadvantage, because parents are preoccupied or they are poor. For instance, some children have to put their focus on holding a part time job, which cuts into their practice time. The best thing someone can do is simply practice their skills every chance they get, because it is more than just raw talent. This rigorous practicing is what gave the music band The Beatles their edge. They were repeatedly given chances to play at strip clubs in Hamburg, Germany. At first they started out just mediocre, but The Beatles ended up playing one hundred and six nights on their first trip; summing up five or more hours a night. That gave them one hundred and seventy hours on stage total. In addition to, two hundred and seventy nights in just over a year and a half. They totaled up playing twelve hundred times. Gladwell states that, “Do you know how extraordinary that is? Most bands today don’t perform twelve hundred times their entire career” (49-50). These long shows for many nights, through the week, is what provided The Beatles their possibility of becoming one of the most talented bands known. Therefore, the amount of time they were able to play, allowed them to develop their extraordinary skills to achieve beyond the norm; becoming outliers. Along with practice some people have extraordinary series of opportunities; their luck plays a big part. Opportunities and luck tie into some of the greatest success stories. To find a great deal of opportunities where there is none is a true outlier; someone who has enough ambition to proceed in the force of an opportunity. Take a look at Bill Gates series of opportunities, which led him to be one of the most successful people of all time. His first opportunity was Gates was fortunate to attend Lakeside, a private school, which was the only middle school known with a computer. He experienced real time programming starting his eighth grade year. He had that opportunity because the mothers formed the computer club, which provided the computer, giving him early access to the flourishing technology era. The computer time was expensive, so the Mothers club put up Three-thousand dollars to support the fees, which led to another opportunity. When they spent that money, one of the founders of C-cubed, a company that allowed accessing to computers, needed someone to test out the company’s software in trade of free computer time; Gates accepted. Unfortunately C-cubed eventually went bankrupt, but that didn’t diminish his path there. Gates fell into the place of ISI (Information Sciences Inc.), which allowed him to work on a piece of software in exchange of free computer time. He estimated twenty or thirty hours of computer time a week. This lucky opportunity gave him the head-start among most. Gates had got kicked out for the summer, because he stole some passwords and crashed the system there at ISI. Consequently, Gates friend found the University of Washington, which had free computer time. The University was in walking distance. However, it was not an easy task to receive endless time on the computer. Remember ISI? Well, one of the founders received a call from a Technology company (TRW), and they signed a contract to have a computer system. They were in desperate need for someone who had exceptional experience with programming. Guess who fell in the place of that? Bill Gates, because he was beyond experience of programming, and that type of person was hard to find. Gates, being a senior at Lakeside, persuaded his teachers to allow him to do an independent study project; writing code. He managed to start his own software company after dropping out of Harvard to pursue his dreams (52-54). Gates, received his successful fortune because of all those opportunities. Someone might have everything they need to be successful, but that doesn’t guarantee success. Sometimes doors open filled with opportunities and luck; being at the right place at the right time. Which leads to another example, of an extraordinary pattern of opportunity. Some of the best Canadian hockey player’s key to success is not simply because they are the best player, but they are born in months like; January, February, March, or April. Because eligibility cutoff is January 1, these months are pivotal. For example, when a boy is born January 2, he would most likely play with someone who will not turn the same age, until the end of the year (24-25). Subsequently, their physical maturity level is greater; resulting in more preparation. Kids are being separated into two groups; the average and the really talented. However, in reality these two groups are actually the younger group of kids and the older group of kids. So those born in the first three months, get more recognition because of their critical extra months of physical maturity. This leads to the coaches giving them extra attention and generally they play in more games. Nevertheless, this hand on coaching actually makes them better in a few years. Therefore, the month someone is born in may proceed to a successful future. Another random draw of luck is the era someone may be born in. For instance, some of the most successful people were born in a few short years of each other. How about the luck that leads to the opportunity. The era people are born in may have a pattern of what they will succeed in. Take a look at bill Gates, he was born in 1955 an era of computer revolution, which allowed him to conquer his series of events. Gladwell also states that the people born from 1954 to 1955 had remarkable opportunities that helped them push their way towards success. In addition to, birth years, some of the richest people such as; John D. Rockefeller, J.P. Morgan, and Marshall Field, were born a few years from each other. Because they grew up in the years, 1970 to 1989, it was a big advantage; it was the greatest turnaround of the economy in America’s history. If someone was born in that time they were most likely to get the best opportunities. However, if they were born in 1920’s or 1940’s they were either too old or too young and missed the opportunity to possibly be an outlier (62). The pattern of American success demonstrates that based on how old you are in a particular era, of an extraordinary revolution, will determine the path of success. Gladwell in order to prove his statements also used the years of Canadian hockey players, previously showed, the months they are born in made a huge difference. Luck and opportunities go hand in hand, but some people are less fortunate to receive unique opportunities because of their background.
However, some do obtain success due to their upbringing. Child-rearing practices are different in each background. For example, parents from different social class backgrounds differ on how exceptional their kids will be in school. Gladwell discusses that the reason why poor kids do not excel in school is the time they prepare studying outside of school, which they put forth nothing. In addition to, kids from wealthier backgrounds are encouraged to read, express their emotions, and ask questions. Involved parents and parents who are not involved is the key difference that leads to an individual’s success. Upper class parents talk to their kids more and critically provide them a set of skills to endure. Gladwell asserts, “But social savvy is knowledge. It’s a set of skills that have to be learned. It has to come from somewhere, and the place where we seem to get these kinds of attitudes and skills is from our families” (102). An example from the book is Alex Williams and Katie Brindle. Williams came from a wealthy background and when school was not is session his parents were actively engaging him in activities. Because his parents believed in concerted cultivation, which is a style of parenting, that attempts to promote their children’s talents; by interesting them in activities. His parents took him to museums, enrolled him to special programs, and he attended summer camp. His parents encouraged him to read books when he was bored. This style of parenting allowed him to excel in his skills. Moving on to Katie Brindle, a poor upbringing for her. Her mother didn’t have the means to provide summer camp for her or provide her any special classes. When she was bored there were no books for her to read. She was provided a carefree summer with friends and the great outdoors. Thus, was the reason she was behind in her skills. Williams
was not necessarily smarter than her, but he was motivated to surpass his learning (258-259). Also, another factor is what is deeply rooted in people’s culture. For example, students from Asian countries score consistently high on international comparative tests. Asians have an advantage, due to their difference in the number system. They differentiate what a number actually corresponds to such as; eleven is ten-one. Western children, have an overbearing English translation to account for; making it exceptionally hard to count numbers and more time consuming. In the English numbering system, the memory of a number is hard to retain because it takes a process of time to sound out the number. Whereas, Asian numbering is a direct form of the numerical system. They can calculate math in their head a lot faster because of the easy recognition of numbers (227-228). From above, a true outlier does not obtain random success; rather they have dedication, opportunities, and cultural and societal advantages. All these are possible to help pave the road for successful people. Outliers go beyond the ordinary to receive some amazing opportunities; they make sure they grab them and concur success. Success isn’t solely based on a person succeeding, but Outliers will provoke you to see success in a paradigm way.
random success without other factors; rather they have practice, lucky opportunities, and cultural and societal advantages.
The first point Gladwell makes about outliers is practice. The one thing that makes someone standout is endeavoring many hours to make them great. It takes roughly ten-thousand hours to master an objective to become successful. However, ten-thousand hours is hard to reach by yourself. You have to have parents that are dedicated to show you at a young age. A lot of people are at a disadvantage, because parents are preoccupied or they are poor. For instance, some children have to put their focus on holding a part time job, which cuts into their practice time. The best thing someone can do is simply practice their skills every chance they get, because it is more than just raw talent. This rigorous practicing is what gave the music band The Beatles their edge. They were repeatedly given chances to play at strip clubs in Hamburg, Germany. At first they started out just mediocre, but The Beatles ended up playing one hundred and six nights on their first trip; summing up five or more hours a night. That gave them one hundred and seventy hours on stage total. In addition to, two hundred and seventy nights in just over a year and a half. They totaled up playing twelve hundred times. Gladwell states that, “Do you know how extraordinary that is? Most bands today don’t perform twelve hundred times their entire career” (49-50). These long shows for many nights, through the week, is what provided The Beatles their possibility of becoming one of the most talented bands known. Therefore, the amount of time they were able to play, allowed them to develop their extraordinary skills to achieve beyond the norm; becoming outliers. Along with practice some people have extraordinary series of opportunities; their luck plays a big part. Opportunities and luck tie into some of the greatest success stories. To find a great deal of opportunities where there is none is a true outlier; someone who has enough ambition to proceed in the force of an opportunity. Take a look at Bill Gates series of opportunities, which led him to be one of the most successful people of all time. His first opportunity was Gates was fortunate to attend Lakeside, a private school, which was the only middle school known with a computer. He experienced real time programming starting his eighth grade year. He had that opportunity because the mothers formed the computer club, which provided the computer, giving him early access to the flourishing technology era. The computer time was expensive, so the Mothers club put up Three-thousand dollars to support the fees, which led to another opportunity. When they spent that money, one of the founders of C-cubed, a company that allowed accessing to computers, needed someone to test out the company’s software in trade of free computer time; Gates accepted. Unfortunately C-cubed eventually went bankrupt, but that didn’t diminish his path there. Gates fell into the place of ISI (Information Sciences Inc.), which allowed him to work on a piece of software in exchange of free computer time. He estimated twenty or thirty hours of computer time a week. This lucky opportunity gave him the head-start among most. Gates had got kicked out for the summer, because he stole some passwords and crashed the system there at ISI. Consequently, Gates friend found the University of Washington, which had free computer time. The University was in walking distance. However, it was not an easy task to receive endless time on the computer. Remember ISI? Well, one of the founders received a call from a Technology company (TRW), and they signed a contract to have a computer system. They were in desperate need for someone who had exceptional experience with programming. Guess who fell in the place of that? Bill Gates, because he was beyond experience of programming, and that type of person was hard to find. Gates, being a senior at Lakeside, persuaded his teachers to allow him to do an independent study project; writing code. He managed to start his own software company after dropping out of Harvard to pursue his dreams (52-54). Gates, received his successful fortune because of all those opportunities. Someone might have everything they need to be successful, but that doesn’t guarantee success. Sometimes doors open filled with opportunities and luck; being at the right place at the right time. Which leads to another example, of an extraordinary pattern of opportunity. Some of the best Canadian hockey player’s key to success is not simply because they are the best player, but they are born in months like; January, February, March, or April. Because eligibility cutoff is January 1, these months are pivotal. For example, when a boy is born January 2, he would most likely play with someone who will not turn the same age, until the end of the year (24-25). Subsequently, their physical maturity level is greater; resulting in more preparation. Kids are being separated into two groups; the average and the really talented. However, in reality these two groups are actually the younger group of kids and the older group of kids. So those born in the first three months, get more recognition because of their critical extra months of physical maturity. This leads to the coaches giving them extra attention and generally they play in more games. Nevertheless, this hand on coaching actually makes them better in a few years. Therefore, the month someone is born in may proceed to a successful future. Another random draw of luck is the era someone may be born in. For instance, some of the most successful people were born in a few short years of each other. How about the luck that leads to the opportunity. The era people are born in may have a pattern of what they will succeed in. Take a look at bill Gates, he was born in 1955 an era of computer revolution, which allowed him to conquer his series of events. Gladwell also states that the people born from 1954 to 1955 had remarkable opportunities that helped them push their way towards success. In addition to, birth years, some of the richest people such as; John D. Rockefeller, J.P. Morgan, and Marshall Field, were born a few years from each other. Because they grew up in the years, 1970 to 1989, it was a big advantage; it was the greatest turnaround of the economy in America’s history. If someone was born in that time they were most likely to get the best opportunities. However, if they were born in 1920’s or 1940’s they were either too old or too young and missed the opportunity to possibly be an outlier (62). The pattern of American success demonstrates that based on how old you are in a particular era, of an extraordinary revolution, will determine the path of success. Gladwell in order to prove his statements also used the years of Canadian hockey players, previously showed, the months they are born in made a huge difference. Luck and opportunities go hand in hand, but some people are less fortunate to receive unique opportunities because of their background.
However, some do obtain success due to their upbringing. Child-rearing practices are different in each background. For example, parents from different social class backgrounds differ on how exceptional their kids will be in school. Gladwell discusses that the reason why poor kids do not excel in school is the time they prepare studying outside of school, which they put forth nothing. In addition to, kids from wealthier backgrounds are encouraged to read, express their emotions, and ask questions. Involved parents and parents who are not involved is the key difference that leads to an individual’s success. Upper class parents talk to their kids more and critically provide them a set of skills to endure. Gladwell asserts, “But social savvy is knowledge. It’s a set of skills that have to be learned. It has to come from somewhere, and the place where we seem to get these kinds of attitudes and skills is from our families” (102). An example from the book is Alex Williams and Katie Brindle. Williams came from a wealthy background and when school was not is session his parents were actively engaging him in activities. Because his parents believed in concerted cultivation, which is a style of parenting, that attempts to promote their children’s talents; by interesting them in activities. His parents took him to museums, enrolled him to special programs, and he attended summer camp. His parents encouraged him to read books when he was bored. This style of parenting allowed him to excel in his skills. Moving on to Katie Brindle, a poor upbringing for her. Her mother didn’t have the means to provide summer camp for her or provide her any special classes. When she was bored there were no books for her to read. She was provided a carefree summer with friends and the great outdoors. Thus, was the reason she was behind in her skills. Williams
was not necessarily smarter than her, but he was motivated to surpass his learning (258-259). Also, another factor is what is deeply rooted in people’s culture. For example, students from Asian countries score consistently high on international comparative tests. Asians have an advantage, due to their difference in the number system. They differentiate what a number actually corresponds to such as; eleven is ten-one. Western children, have an overbearing English translation to account for; making it exceptionally hard to count numbers and more time consuming. In the English numbering system, the memory of a number is hard to retain because it takes a process of time to sound out the number. Whereas, Asian numbering is a direct form of the numerical system. They can calculate math in their head a lot faster because of the easy recognition of numbers (227-228). From above, a true outlier does not obtain random success; rather they have dedication, opportunities, and cultural and societal advantages. All these are possible to help pave the road for successful people. Outliers go beyond the ordinary to receive some amazing opportunities; they make sure they grab them and concur success. Success isn’t solely based on a person succeeding, but Outliers will provoke you to see success in a paradigm way.