Outliers

The study of success, in hopes of providing like opportunities to more people.
The values of the world we inhabit and the people we surround ourselves with have a profound effect on who we are.
Self-fulfilling prophecy: a false definition, in the beginning, evokes a new behavior which makes the original false conception come true.
Accumulative Advantage: abundance of small opportunities make a big difference.
Outliers start out just a little bit better, and consequently, are treated as such early on. High/ gifted groups, better teams
Achievement is talent plus preparation
10,000 hour rule: the thing that distinguishes one performer from the another is how hard he or she works. 2000 vs 10000 by age 20.
It takes ten years of full time practice to hit 10,000 hours and master something.
Bill Gates had a "lucky series of events"
Practical Intelligence: They have the smarts and the Savvy to get what they want from the world. "Knowing what to say to whom, knowing when to say it, and knowing how to say it for maximum effect." p 101
Able to read situations correctly to get what you want.
Entitlement can have two meanings: bratty, whiny, demanding vs. high expectations, respectful relations with authority, confident. Confidence: as good as anyone else and deserving of respectful and good treatment; pride: better than anyone else, hence deserving special treatment. World revolves around them vs being a contribute in a revolving world.
They know the Rules of the Game. An attitude suited to succeeding in the modern world.
"Concerted Cultivation" (providing opportunities and setting children up for success) vs accomplishment of natural growth (caring for)
Comfortable in a variety of settings, and in asking for attention vs timid
Family Background: books, parents with college degrees, sufficient $. Alert, poised, attractive, well dressed. P 112
Successful people don't do it alone.
Satisfying work: autonomy, complexity, and a connection between effort and reward
If you work hard enough and assert yourself, and use your mind and imagination, you can shape the world to your desires.
Powers of persuasion and initiative
Communicating in the sense of encouraging, cajoling, calming, negotiating, and sharing information in the clearest and most transparent manner possible. P 192
"Mitigated speech" attempts to downplay or sugarcoat the meaning of what is being said. We mitigate when we're being polite or when were ashamed or embarrassed or when we're being deferential to authority. P 194
Six levels of mitigation: command, obligation statement, suggestion, query, preference, and hint.
Fear of being blunt. Don't be afraid to speak up-- clearly and assertively.
I statements. "I'm concerned about, I'm uncomfortable with..."
Not obnoxious, pushy, or egotistical- just sees the world differently.
All they had to say is, 'we can't do that'
Power Distance Index: level of value and respect for authority and level of special privileges they get. How do we reduce power differences? Equality.
Advocate for opinions in a stronger way.
Western cultural context: if there is confusion, it is the fault of the speaker. Eastern cultures believe it is the fault of the listener.
The aviation industry learned how to make success out of the unsuccessful by taking a look at their culture and 're-norming' them to take the initiative and be straightforward in communications.
No one who can rise before dawn 360 days a year fails to make his family rich.
Outliers work harder than their peers. Working really hard is what successful people do. P 238
It's not so much ability as attitude. Success is a function of persistence and the willingness to work hard rather than giving up quickly.
Those who succeed on the math test are the same students who are willing to concentrate and sit still long enough to focus on answering a lengthy questionnaire. Page 248
Effort and hard work are in direct proportion to success.
Persistence Test: American children lasted 9.4 minutes, Japanese lasted for 13.9 minutes.
SSLANT: smile, sit up, listen, ask questions, nod when being spoken to, and track with your eyes.
School days: US 180, Korea 220, Japan 243.
Endurance, motivation, incentives and rewards, fun, discipline, grit, and self-control.
Meaningful teaching is time-consuming. It seems counterintuitive but we do things at a slower pace and as a result we get through a lot more. Better retention, deepened understanding, plus more relaxed.
KIPP schools transform losers into winners-- because they have 50-60% more learning Time.
Outliers are those who have been given opportunities- and who have had the strength and presence of mind to see them. It is a gift.

What is success to me? What do I hope to succeed at? Wife, mother, neighbor, friend. Serving others, scriptorian, reading,