I’m sure you’ve heard of Malcolm Gladwell’s latest book: Outliers. Well, I’ve finally read the book. This is the first Gladwell book I’ve read. It is well-written but at times dry – but this is a necessary evil considering the method Gladwell uses to tell us about success and the successful.
Like a lot of people who bought and read this book, I was hoping to find the magical “secret” that I needed to truly become a success. I wanted to know what makes a successful person. So I read. And I read some more. It took me a long time to read this book (and it is not a thick book). I just struggled with my motivation to read the book…. What better reason to read it?
So, the underlying message of this book is this: chance plus hard work creates a success. Hmm, not really that surprising is it? We all know that pure raw talent can only take a person so far. There has to be some luck or chance thrown in. And of course you have to work hard. If this is the message/secret found in this book, then why read it? Because you need to truly understand what it means to work hard and what chance really is.
I’m not going to spill the beans on the entire content of the book. Suffice it to say, this book should be required reading for any athlete out there who is on the cusp of breaking through or is looking for that “secret”. There is a big message in this book – I think the secret is how you apply it to your life.
Keeping my eyes peeled for chance. And learning what it means to really work hard.
(P.S. spring has arrived – get outside and ride!)
Ottawa Cross 
Good book. First book in a looong time that I’ve actually sat down and read from cover to cover in a flash- think I read the whole thing in about 4 days.
10,000 hours to be a pro is what it claims!
I think those 10,000 hours have to consist of some good times though.
The author eludes to that a bit.
I’m reading his other books – Blink and tipping point.
Along with a couple of other books out there.
Love reading – get different perspectives on things.
(I use to hate reading, when I was a teenager)
Good book good read. It ain’t all luck.
(well, somethings are – like some of the scandals that have gone on in the economy… I don’t think some of those fellas put in 10,000 hours to make millions… hang’m I say! Like doing steriods almost in relation to the athletic world of things…)