The 10,000 Hour Rule

Malcolm Gladwell’s new book, Outliers: The Story of Success, is #1 on the Wall Street Journal's list of business books.

In Outliers, the premise is simple: Why do some people succeed far more than others?

Gladwell dedicates an entire chapter to what he calls the “10,000 Hour Rule.” In that chapter he asks a very simple question: is there such a thing as innate talent? Which is to say, are there some people out there who are just naturally gifted and just float by effortlessly to the top of their chosen field? The obvious answer is, yes. However, in typical Gladwell fashion, he digs a little deeper.

Gladwell points out that the problem with this view (natural talent) is that the closer psychologists look at the careers of the gifted, the smaller the role innate talent seems to play and the bigger role preparation seems to play.

What separates elite violinists from “good” violinists to those who only end up music teachers? Practice. 10,000 hours to be exact. Why is Bill Gates able to take baths in hundred dollar bills? He spent hours upon hours (hello, 10,000) honing is computer programming skills as a high school student.

The point is, if you want to be great in anything, you’re not just going to get by with talent alone. You have to attend seminars, network, and read more than two books. The common denominator is time (10,000 hours). Which begs the question, what have I spent 10,000 hours doing that would label me an expert? Lets see, hmmmm…..

Thought For The Day

Integrity is not a conditional word. It doesn't blow in the wind or change with the weather. It is your inner image of yourself, and if you look in there and see a man who won't cheat, then you know he never will.

- John D. MacDonald -

Thought For The Day

The purpose of life is a life of purpose.

- Robert Byrne, chess master and newspaper columnist -

submitted by Julie McKeon

Dalai Lama Personality Test

Just 4 questions. Do not cheat by looking up the answers. The mind is like a parachute it works best when it is opened.

This is fun to do, but you have to follow the instructions very closely. Do not cheat. MAKE A WISH BEFORE BEGINNING THE TEST!!

A Warning! Answer the questions as you go along..

There are only four questions and if you see them all before finishing you will not have honest results. Go down slowly and do each exercise as you scroll down. Don't look ahead. Get pencil and paper to write your answers as you go along. You will need it at the end. This is an honest questionnaire, which will tell you a lot about your true self.

Put the following 5 animals in the order of your preference:
a. Cow
b. Tiger
c. Sheep
d. Horse
e. Pig

Write one word that describes each one of the following:
a. Dog
b. Cat
c. Rat
d. Coffee
e. Sea

Think of someone (who also knows you and is important to you) that you can relate them to the following colors: (Please do not repeat your answer twice. Name just one person for each color.)
a. Yellow
b. Orange
c. Red
d. White
e. Green

Finally, write down your favorite number and your favorite day of the week.

Finished? Please be sure that your answers are what you REALLY feel...

last chance...

Look at the interpretations below.: But first before continuing, repeat your wish.

This will define your priorities in your life.

Cow: signifies CAREER
Tiger Signifies PRIDE
Sheep Signifies LOVE
Horse Signifies FAMILY
Pig Signifies MONEY

Your description of dog implies YOUR OWN PERSONALITY.
Your description of cat implies the personality of your partner.
Your description of rat implies the personality of your enemies.
Your description of coffee is how you interpret SEX.
Your description of the Sea implies your own life.

Yellow: Someone you will never forget.
Orange: Someone you consider your true friend.
Red: Someone that you really love.
White: Your twin soul.
Green: Someone that you will remember for the rest of your life.

Thought For The Day

"Whether one believes in a religion or not, and whether one believes in rebirth or not, there isn't anyone who doesn't appreciate kindness and compassion."

- the Dalai Lama -

Thought For The Day

The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he's always doing both.

- James A. Michener -

Poem For The Day

Never ask of money spent
Where the spender thinks it went.
Nobody was ever meant
To remember or invent
What he did with every cent.

- Robert Frost -