I'm currently reading the book Outliers: A Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell thanks to a recommendation made by a blogger I follow. The book is about people who tend to excel academically, professionally, physically, etc. Gladwell gives the idea that these outliers are born into circumstances that allow them to thrive. Sure, a privileged background and encourage parents are advantages, but also the year an individual was born or even what was their ancestor's trade. He also points out something that I feel that I could perhaps be neglected, time. It is the time you put into a craft will determine how well you will succeed. So it takes 10,000 hours for one to be an expert in their field.
I have aspirations to be this great columnist and story teller. I obviously have the drive (ignore my sparse blog posts)because I do have a monthly column and I'm constantly reaching out for someone to guide me. It's whether I take the guidance that I'm constantly offered will determine whether I will be successful. Here's why, I was a teacher for a brief stint and was encouraged to pursue this career. These individuals believed I was good (potential to be great) at it and there is a need for not only qualified but talented teachers. If I thrived off of flattery I would have probably stuck around Eastern North Carolina and taught. The problem with me teaching was I didn't want it. But the real point I'm trying to make is this if I don't take heed to my "circumstances" and back out I could easily be conducting a parent-teacher conference.
If there is something you are dying to do and you're constantly in a "circumstance" to take advantage of it, do it. I haven't completed the book, but I'm starting to believe that everyone has a bit of outlier within them. In some way, shape, or form you can do anything you set your mind to. *Chris Langan, who was a contestant on the NBC game show 1 vs. 100, has an I.Q. of at least 195. His "circumstances" of unreliable transportation and scarce financial means withheld him from exercising his genius.
The book is definitely an eye opener and has given me a boost for work ethic. When I feel like I've done enough, then I should probably do more.
*Langan was profiled in The Outliers.
