Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else

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There is task-specific practice (e.g., playing football) and general-purpose "conditioning" (e.g., weight lifting and running). People often think conditioning only applies to sports, but it's important in all disciplines. For example, if you are an entrepreneur, doing deliberate practice with arithmetic, physics, and economics can provide general-purpose conditioning for your mind that helps you succeed at building a business. Nobel prize winners, for example, are now 6 years older on average, when they make their scientific breakthrough, as they were 100 years ago. More broadly, every high performer is continually making a cost-benefit analysis when it comes to deliberate practice, and as the years go by, the costs increase while the benefits diminish. Improving performance becomes more difficult, and the performer focuses more on just maintaining a given level; as even that become unrealistic, the performer seeks ways to compensate for the encroaching weaknesses. The hours required for all this remain punishing, and it’s easy to understand how elite performers may come to feel the effort is no longer worth what it produces. The key concept, however, is that for many years in a person’s life—more years than most of us believe—performance deterioration in our chosen field isn’t an inexorable process. It is, rather, a choice about how much effort we want to invest in our performance. As Karl Malone, the NBA’s second all-time top scorer, told the Los Angeles Times about aging athletes, “It’s not that their bodies stop, it’s just that they’ve decided to stop pushing it.” ( Ch. 10, 6:42:30)

What you want—really, deeply want—is fundamental because deliberate practice is a heavy investment. Becoming a great performer demands the largest investment you will ever make—many years of your life devoted utterly to your goal—and only someone who wants to reach that goal with extraordinary power can make it. We often see the price people pay in their rise to the top of any field; even if their marriages or other relationships survive, their interests outside their field typically cannot. Howard Gardner, after studying his seven exceptional achievers, noted that “usually, as a means of being able to continue work, the creator sacrificed normal relationships in the personal sphere.” Such people are “committed obsessively to their work. Social life or hobbies are almost immaterial.” That may sound like admirable self-sacrifice and direction of purpose, but it often goes much further, and it can be ugly. As Gardner notes, “the self-confidence merges with egotism, egocentrism, and narcissism: each of the creators seems highly self-absorbed, not only wholly involved in his or her own projects, but likely to pursue them at the cost of other individuals.” The story of the great achiever who leaves a wake of anger and betrayal is a common one. Some of us have met experts in different fields that can spot little details that we don’t even see. For example, some people can tell if a tennis player will miss the ball just by looking at some things before the player even hits the ball. Talent is Overrated” wants to enlighten all readers by explaining the fact that hard work pays off, “SUCCESS= 90% HARD WORK+ 10% TALENT”. As science progresses, it takes longer and longer to master any given field, be it physics, biology, or even business.New Zealand Ltd) • Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd, 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg Penguin Group (NZ), 67 Apollo Drive, Rosedale, North Shore 0632, New Zealand (a division of Pearson No one has the capacity to become perfect, but you can always improve. However, you have to understand that not even the greatest talent can grant you free access to glory. Jordan's dedication paid off, as he went on to win six NBA championships and became a global icon in the world of basketball. His story is a testament to the power of deliberate practice and the importance of putting in the hours to achieve mastery.

A greater majority belief that some people possess special talent, skills, and abilities that were given unto them by gods, God, Spirits, or muses before they came into the world. This is a safe way to make excuses for some of our shortcomings. Let’s start with why: Why exactly do you need to be a great performer?

About Geoff Colvin

Therefore companies need more creativity and innovation to keep their products in the market. Apple took an existing product (iPod) and gave it a more elegant design, created a simple and intuitive user interface, and added the iTunes store. The result became that they have over 75% of the market share. Deliberate practice helps your brain to spot information that is not obvious; you can see farther and be prepared for future obstacles. A marvellous exposition on the realities of motivation and excellence. Colvin masterfully highlights how exceptional performers are distinct from average ones. Many people often use the excuse of talent as a foundation for excellence and Colvin explains how this is simply not the case. He argues that exceptional performance is achieved by deliberate practice - practice which forces one outside of their comfort zone. Though it sounds straightforward, there are some caveats to this form of practice. It will require: intense concentration, a mentor and finally an individual who must be willing to exhaust their time and ego.