Book Review: Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
Have you ever heard the statment, to be considered an expert at something you have to invest 10,000 hours. I always wonder who was the authority of
that statement; because when I did the math, it made sense. If we are
practicing on our target project or profession, 20 hours per week for 10
years it would give us ten thousand hours. I believe exercising anything that long will make you the authority in any endeavor.
How hard is that? I spend more time self-loathing and being depressed
than in the past than focusing my energies on positive projects. Still
not knowing who made the 10,000 hour rule, I try to devote my time in
practicing my art. I painted every day for 3 hours and instantly saw the difference in my art.
 | |||||
| 10/11/2011 When I wanted to try my hand at painting with acrylics. |
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 months of practicing everyday, without a tutor, just youtube and a dream. |
My Art started improving after a year, but not in the way I wanted too.
"Who Started the 10,000 hour Phenomenon."
Realizing after 6 months of implementing my 10,000 hour rule case study I didn't do enough research into its origins. So Google here I come. Malcolm Gladwell a Canadian journalist who writes for The New Yorker is the inventor of the 10,000 hour rule. He wrote a book in 2008 called Outliers: The Story of Success. I
ordered this book on Amazon and read it at once. After reading, I
realize there so much more to being successful than 10,000 hour rule
implies. Without spoiling it for others I will tell you what stood out.
Malcolm Gladwell
 |
| Sketching is getting better. |
Like the title suggest this is a Story of Success. Mr. Gladwell
after researching and studying many successful people he summarize how
they can to be so successful in their field. Each person had a mini
biography of how they got started on the path of success, it became clear
to me that the 10,000 rule is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to
being successful. Learning I have to practice 10,000 hours with the
right instruction, direction and societal influence I was dismayed. I
have no real support or money to get the right instruction or influence.
Most of the people around me really can care less if I can paint a
house, let alone a portrait of my mother. I can devote 10,000 hours in
my art and still end up drawing and painting juvenile one dimensional
pieces that people will frown upon. Gladwell believes that even if a person has the potential to be a master at any skill, that sometimes society, environment and community
can possibly support or hinder that person. So supporting each other as
a society we can help people become a master at any project.
Past Obstacles
Then I remember my past obstacles I had to overcome and how I did it. When I wanted to learn about investing, I surround myself with like
minded individuals and I found success. When I wanted to lose weight, I
submerged myself in the health and fitness world and went from 302lbs
to 268lbs and still losing. I understand what Mr. Gladwell is trying to convey and I know my potential and I will be a master at art. So I will say this book was powerful in giving direction and purpose. So I added Mr. Malcolm Gladwell to my list of "Awesome Book's Written By Investigative Reporters" even I don't totally agree with the book as a whole, it still made great points I can't deny.
"I will find my success in every task I set for myself"
-Nathalie D. Luna Adkins
 |
| Portrait of mom in 2012, acrylic. |
 |
| Painting re-done 2013, much better! |
 |
| My nephew in 2014 |
Even though Mr. Gladwell
believes the reason people are more successful than others is because of
circumstances. This will not deter me from seeking my mastery at life and
other pursuits. Because as long as I have breath in my body, I have
success and I will master any and everything I set my mind too.
 |
| My son in 2015 |
