Real Estate Solutions

Words That Matter

“In times of change the learners will inherit the earth, while the knowers will find themselves beautifully equipped to handle a world that no longer exists.” ……Eric Hoffer

From my bookshelf - Outliers

Malcolm Gladwell is known for his best selling books, The Tipping Point and Blink, but I think he’s done one better with his latest book, Outliers.  When I finish a book and immediately want to read it again, it ends up on my special places book shelf.  This one surely will.

The book wasn’t anything like I expected. The subtitle of Outliers is The Story of Success.  I expected to read the typical business book about how success is a result of intelligence, hard work and determination, but Gladwell doesn’t even come close to espousing that theory.  Instead he points out in stories how some successes are simply a matter of the right blend of social circumstances, advantages including being born at the right time and place, and maybe a little luck.  Karma even came to mind a few times although I suspect you won’t see the word “Karma” in any other book review.

The book had me hooked in the first chapter with Gladwell’s reasoning of why most pro hockey players were born in January. I was fascinated by the “10,000 rule”, the notion that it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill.  I wasn’t surprised to read about how our short U.S. school calendar year effects student performance when compared to students from other nations.

Don’t read Outliers if you are looking for a 10 step plan to greatness or a how to succeed book.  Outliers leaves you with more questions than answers, and many of Gladwell’s theories seem to need more research to be proven. That aside, it is an interesting book that will make you think about your opportunities and current circumstances.  It is a quick read and one I think you will enjoy.