My "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell Review

So I’d had this book recommended to me multiple times over the last few years. I knew it was partially something that I would be interested in because I had already read a couple of Malcolm Gladwell's books and they were always very thought provoking for me. One of the reasons that I hadn’t yet read it is I’d had the book described to me as “explaining how people become super successful with statistics to back it up. Like what month they were born, etc.” So in my mind, thinking, “well, what if I just learn that I don’t fall within the parameters of people destined for uber success?,” I was a little scared to pick it up.

Long story long, I decided to listen to it. And let me tell you, it was extremely interesting and thought provoking for me. Gladwell basically debunks the fact that there are self-made success stories and that those who achieve “greatness” were blessed with very specific circumstances and opportunities that no one else had that basically propelled/allowed them to be in the situations that they were in. Generally, a prerequisite to success is to be hardworking, disciplined, etc., but on top of that, the “Bill Gates” of the world were also blessed with extremely “lucky” happenstances that were completely unearned by them specifically leading them down their paths of “outlier’ness.”

Great and thought provoking read. Multiple times as I was listening to the book, I had to pause it in order to wrap my brain around what he was saying. You’ll learn how culture, race, and other circumstances of history potentially still seem very relevant with many of the happenings in today’s world. 

Going back to my original fear... If anything it allows me to be more at ease in terms my own path towards "greatness." We see a lot of these people that we deem great and believe at times that simply hard work and dedication will get us to where they are. So begin to work hard and dedicate yet we don't seem to be reaching anywhere near the stratospheres that they're in. Well, some of us just haven't been in "the right place at the right time" to necessarily reach the things that these people have; and that's okay. All we can do is replicate the habits of these greats and then let the cards unfold as they will.

I'll give Outliers an 8/10