Daniel Coyle’s TEDx Talk, “Growing a Talent Hotbed” is well worth 18 minutes of your attention:

A few related bookmarks this stirred up for me:

“Malcolm Gladwell got us wrong: Our research was key to the 10,000-hour rule, but here’s what got oversimplified”:

Unfortunately, this rule — which is the only thing that many people today know about the effects of practice — is wrong in several ways. (It is also correct in one important way, which we will get to shortly.) First, there is nothing special or magical about ten thousand hours.

“People Favor Naturals Over Strivers — Even Though They Say Otherwise”:

Our society is deeply conflicted about the source of excellence. On one hand, we are fascinated with child prodigies, portraying them as wonders of nature. On the other hand, we love a good “overcoming adversity” story, as it inspires us all to greatness.

Jason Fried recently on Twitter:

It’s never been easier to start something. It’s never been harder to keep it going.

Most people obsess over point estimates of what it means to be average, and they fantasize about being above average. Outsized success requires—but does not guarantee—outsized perseverance. But practice is the one variable that’s most within our control.