Outliers

  • People don't rise from nothing — parentage and patronage.
  • Outliers are the beneficiaries of hidden advantages, extraordinary opportunities, and cultural legacies.
  • Outliers are those who have been given a gift — and have the strength and presence of mind to seize them.
  • 10,000 hour rule. There is no shortcut to mastery than putting in the hours.
  • Intelligence has a threshold. Once someone has reached an IQ of 120, additional points have no effect on real-world advantage.
  • Success is not a random act. It arises out of a predictable and powerful set of circumstances and opportunities.
  • When opportunity presents itself, seize it.
  • Timing — critical to success and opportunity.
  • The quality of upbringing a child has been shown to be a key determinant on future success (even more so than pure IQ).
  • Once you cross a certain threshold with your skills and abilities, any extra won't do you much good.