“Outliers” (book Report)

In the book The Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell proposes the idea that “if you work hard enough and assert yourself, and use your mind and imagination, you can shape the world to your desire.” Many people have been successful in life but they had to work for success. These people that you hear about didn’t give up and then get lucky, they persevered and continued. That made them what they are today. I agree with this quote because of three things: Success is earned not given, Only the hard workers are rewarded, Many things were created from someone who used their imagination. Success is earned not given. You have to work to get what you want in life. You have to work hard enough to were you absolutely deserve it. One good example of this is Jimmy Butler. Jimmy Butler grew up without a father and was eventually kicked out of his house. He lived on the streets for many years. He was not good at basketball like he is now. He was barely surviving. He worked his but off to get to where his is now. Nobody just walked up to him and said “your an NBA star now.” He worked and worked until he was amazing. And it saved his life. If he didn’t put in the work, he might not be the man he is today. Only the hard workers are rewarded.

In the book, Gladwell also talks about the 10,000 hour rule. This means that anyone that is a masters at what he/she does put at least 10,000 hours of work in of practice to get good. The people that put in 10,000 hours put in enough work that hey are masters at what they do. Gladwell points out studies in the book show that people who are famous for playing an instrument reported practicing for at least 10,000 hours. People that aren't famous but are good reported practicing for around 8,000 hours. People who are not famous and are ok reported practicing around 6,000 hours. Bill Gates was good with computers because through High School and College he used the computers for over 10,000 hours. Bill Gates also had access to a terminal in the eighth grade. However if he didn’t have the early access, he might be the same man he is today. Many things were created by someone who used their imagination. Bill Gates and Steve Jobs made computers and phone to make communications easier and it helped a lot of people. Prosthetic limbs were made because someone wanted to help disabled be able to live like normal people. These people that make and create things, they do it with their imagination. The human imagination has incredible capabilities that can lead new generations to do great things. If these people never used their imagination, the world would look a lot different from how it looks today.

Malcolm Gladwell States in his book Outliers “If you work hard enough and assert yourself, and use your mind and imagination, you can shape the world to your desire.” The men and women that have had a successful life all had to work for the life have. They never gave up their dreams and continued until they reached their goal. Anyone can be successful if they put the work in and try to be successful. It doesn’t happen naturally. So, I agree with the quote because based on the facts, anyone can be successful if they put in work and use their imagination to help them. Only then will they have earned success. 

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