From CBS & The Early Show…
Malcolm Gladwell talks about his book Outliers: The Story of Success and how the “overnight success” usually involves a lot of hard work (mixed with a little luck).
The book’s well worth the time – some great insights on what it takes to succeed.
The hard work piece you already know (hopefully). It’s the impact of luck and culture that are pretty facinating.
Here’s the author’s Q&A on the book (it’s his site – the excerpts there are a bit weak) and the prologue to the book (the publisher’s site – an interesting story about community and its impact on health).
sam says:
Nice, Nancy. That’s only a year of full-time work to go.
16 May 2011
nancy says:
yea. i’ve only got 2000 more hours til I’m an overnite success. wheeeee
16 May 2011
Shannon Taylor says:
I agree with what Malcom says about success and believe taking that to the next level would be to apply the principles from Jeff Olson’s The Slight Edge. Being consistent , doing the actions everyday to move you closer to your goal vs. being the weekend warrior.
In sales typically there are lots of little, seemingly insignificant (at the time) steps that are taken throughout the sales process that results in a closed deal.
Thank you JustSell for the great tips. As a sales recruiter for ADP’s Major Accounts I always refer my candidates to JustSell.com for great advice.
21 July 2010
Rich says:
The other folks leaving comments have kinda missed Malcolm’s point I’m afraid. It’s not literally the 10,000 hours that is important, it is the dedication required to focus for a given amount of time and get out and make it happen.
21 July 2010
Brad says:
10,000 hours equates to 5 years for the average worker when you consider 50 weeks per year at 40 hours per week. Is that enough?
4 December 2009
Terry says:
Not sure 10,000 hours is actually enough .. equates to just over a year .. seems a little on the low side for a Bill gates etc.
Also, the way to reach your potential has more to do with your Natural Attributes… I know that even with 10,000 hours I could not play like the beetles, or football like Stevie Gerrard .. you have to build on your strengths .. not just practice, practice ..
For more on Natural Excellence go to http://www.i-ne.org
4 December 2009
Jeff says:
Although I agree w/ what Malcom says…I also believe a successful/happy/satisfied life needs balance. Spiritual, Personal, Business. If you focus 10,000 hours on one path, yes you will most likely become very good at it; however you will also most likely lose the balance that keeps most people fullfilled.
7 July 2009