Why Some Succeed Where Others Fail
by Malcolm Gladstone has written in his book “Outliers” that talent is not what we have thought and that luck has a great deal more to do with success.
Why are many talented hockey players born early in the year? It’s because Canadian youth players are grouped by age, so players born in January will be the oldest on the team. They have the jump on others by age and maturity. They will get more coaching time and practice . It can be the difference in NHL and a high school coach and it was all in the luck of the draw.
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Malcolm Gladstone writes in his book “Outliers” that talent is over rated. We think of the Beatles as being enormously talented but in fact Gladstone says, ” the Beatles lucked in on a gig at a strip club in Germany where they had to play 8 hours a night. They were required to play everything from pop, to blues, making them the the best rehearsed band in the world. When they got the chance to play for Ed Sullivan they were ready not from any special talent but from practice and hard work.
Image by Joi via Flickr
Gladstone writes that the best time for software moguls to be born was mid 1970’s.Old enough for the beginning of the personal computer revolution, but too young to have started a career at IBM.That is the year Bill Gates and Steve Jobs were born. Gladstones says geniuses are not born, they are made by society, family, schools, the luck of being in the right place at the right time, and luck is the most important intangible product.
Malcolm Gladstone says “The mentality that gave rise to CEO’s who felt they were underpaid at $50 million a year is happily over. But the winner take all on which it was based lingers.” His book “Outliers” besides showing that success is according to opportunity and luck is written to rain on their parade and deflate their bull market ego.
Typically closed mouthed about politics, “Outliers”by implication makes a rigid case for affirmative action. Says Gladstone, “You can only object to affirmative action if you subscribe to the myth that all success is the sole result of individual initiative. Its society’s way of trying to supply the same kind of advantages, artificially, that history and culture do for some people.”
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Post Commentpapaleng
On April 28, 2009 at 4:03 am
a very interesting write ruby, and yes that’s the million dollar question that’s bogging one’s mind. Why can’t I succeed while those with lesser capacity and capabilities succeed.
Kate Smedley
On April 28, 2009 at 4:31 am
Very good article and very interesting too – timing and luck certainly seem to have a lot to do with it …
Betty Carew
On April 28, 2009 at 4:44 am
A very well written article Ruby sounds like an awesome book. Excellent read.
Eunice Tan
On April 28, 2009 at 4:49 am
Yes, this is a mystery of this life. Why some people are the right men in the right place and time and some aren’t. Good article, Ruby.
Anne Lyken Garner
On April 28, 2009 at 5:20 am
I do think that he may have a point. Some people are naturally inclined to do certain things, but if people who’re not so inclined, should practise twice as hard, they will be just as good.
clay hurtubise
On April 28, 2009 at 5:56 am
Interesting piece.
Thanks,
Clay
Judy Sheldon
On April 28, 2009 at 6:22 am
Hard work, perseverance and God’s hand make a world of difference. Thanks for your outlook.
NA Staffieri
On April 28, 2009 at 6:27 am
Agreed. Nothing takes the place of perseverance and hard work. Great article, Ruby.
Reilley
On April 28, 2009 at 6:27 am
An interesting premise, but I would like to see some science behind it.
Joe Dorish
On April 28, 2009 at 6:27 am
Ross Perot always said luck is half the battle. Being in the right place at the right time.
Christine Ramsay
On April 28, 2009 at 6:42 am
I suppose there must be some luck involved as many a talented person does not get recognised. An interesting and well written article.
Christine
Alicia Wind
On April 28, 2009 at 7:18 am
Yes, it’s just about training, learning and how the coach pushed their butt
Sheila
On April 28, 2009 at 9:13 am
something to definately ponder upon….interesting article
Mr Ghaz
On April 28, 2009 at 9:27 am
Excellent!..That was very interesting and well-presented article..I really enjoyed reading yr work..Well done and thnx for sharing this great stuff
ladybaby
On April 28, 2009 at 9:48 am
Personally I agree that Luck has a great deal to do with success. Also the old saying “It”s who you know, not what you know,” gives a lot of people the key to success, no matter how untalented they are. I do not agree that geniuses are not born – What about child prodigies? I’ve met all kinds of people who according to their upbringing, and surroundings, should be unintelligent, yet they are MORE knowledgeable than half of all highly educated people who THINK they are smart, because they have a piece of paper that says they are.
Mark Gordon Brown
On April 28, 2009 at 9:53 am
I struggle all the time, and never seem to get ahead, yet I know people who are handed the world and do nothing with it. It is frustrating to try so hard and see others with everything handed to them who take it for granted. I am not saying the folks in your article didnt work for it, just people I know in real life.
Brenda Nelson
On April 28, 2009 at 9:57 am
Sometimes who you know makes all the difference, as does “Attitude”
Phill Senters
On April 28, 2009 at 12:45 pm
I don’t know much about luck except the wrong side of it. But for sure, you’ll not succeed very well at anything without putting some effort toward your goal.
Thanks Ruby, very interesting article.
Nicholas Kenney
On April 28, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Hmm…interesting indeed Ruby. That explains a lot.
DA Cournean
On April 28, 2009 at 3:04 pm
There is a lot said for being in the right place at the right time. My motto is “When opportunity knocks, open the dang door”.
Catelin Hoover
On April 28, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Ruby What a wonderful controversial article! Sure woke folks up! Personally, I do not believe in luck it is like believing in fate. I rather think anyone can do whatever they want, if they keep a positive attitude, trust God for the timing, and prepare for the day of opportunity. There is an old saying, Success is where preparation and opportunity meet. We can do little on our own, but with God all things are possible.
Lex92
On April 28, 2009 at 3:35 pm
very interesting..
jo oliver
On April 28, 2009 at 5:50 pm
wonderful read, Ruby
Uma Shankari
On April 28, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Luck comes first, I agree. The rest, later. Good article.
Moses Ingram
On April 28, 2009 at 8:14 pm
A great article, I guess luck does count for something after all.
Daisy Peasblossom
On April 28, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Interesting review. I’m not sure that it is possible to completely level the playing field, or even if it is a good idea. Take a good look at “No child left behind,”.
CHAN LEE PENG
On April 28, 2009 at 10:32 pm
I think it’s a matter of perception or way of thinking. Don’t you think so?
PR Mace
On April 28, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Interesting point of view. I think sucess is a matter of luck and being at the right place at the right time.
Yovita Siswati
On April 29, 2009 at 9:54 am
Very interesting! Success is a combination of hard work and luck.
OhSugar
On April 29, 2009 at 10:48 am
This is a very interesting piece. I believe if we prepare with a good education and hard work afterward, we can be successful. Nice piece.
Ruby Hawk
On April 29, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Thank you everyone for your opinions. I think it takes a lot of hard work and the opportunity to show your stuff.No matter how good you are you have to be in the right place at the right time and that’s where luck comes in.
Poetic Enigma
On April 29, 2009 at 11:26 pm
very interesting write,
and well done
Enjoyable read
Chris Stonecipher
On April 29, 2009 at 11:52 pm
Sometimes I wonder what things might have been for various reasons but my blessings in life are my true treasures. This was very interesting and enjoyable. thank you
Blessings to you,
Chris
Jenny Heart
On April 30, 2009 at 12:09 pm
You said a mouthful. Great article!
Lorenzo A. Fernandez Jr.
On April 30, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Good article…but my definition of talent is: the ability one develops through hard work and intensive practice just like what the Beatles did.
Fornis
On May 1, 2009 at 4:46 pm
@Ruby,
You are right on spot in this article. Apart from hard work or talent, many times luck or just right time plays. Hence I look to do best things at the right time to maximize the effect!
What one develops with practice is the skill. But who will do the hard work? Who will consciously put in the time to do that? Those who don’t have another choice and those who are disciplined.
Those who are talented need not get anything unless they do act. Action is what gives results and that is for those who act, who work hard, who are disciplined to consciously do things even when they don’t like. If these hard working people are talented, they will rise quickly to fame than other talented people who are overcome by their ego or other factors.
BC Doan
On May 2, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Interesting post, Ruby! Being in the right time, at the place also play an important part!
hiho
On May 4, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Very interesting Ruby, I’d like to get my hands on that book!
Street Smart
On May 7, 2009 at 7:14 am
Yes, right time, right place, can I add , right attitude makes all the diff. Very good article. Thanks for sharing Ruby.
street smart
CutestPrincess
On May 16, 2009 at 3:46 am
you never fails to amaze me!
Wendy Graham
On December 5, 2010 at 4:15 am
Very informative article. Malcolm GLADWELL is the author of ‘Outliers’.