Outliers is a book about people that achieve outstanding things, about what sets them apart from everyone else. It doesn’t give you “5 proven techniques that will guarantee success” but it highlights some very useful ideas . My quick notes to self:
It takes 10.000 hours of work become outstanding at something. Almost anything. And these 10.000 hours go easiest if you’re enjoying what you’re doing.
It doesn’t matter whether your IQ is 115 or 170 to be successful, one just needs to be ‘smart enough’
IQ or skills of a genius can’t be put to use without social intelligence ie. expressing oneself clearly, solving tough situations etc.
The environment plays a hugely important role. Where, when you are born, family situation and the wider social arrangement around it eg. Jewish immigrants in New York in the beginning of the twentieth century. (While you can’t change this for yourself you can do so for your kids.)
My blessing to this book. Read or listen as I did (read by Gladwell himself).