From Chapter 16 “The Rare Find” in Ingredients of Outliers. Are you that one-in-a-million person who stands out from the crowd? Before you answer that question, consider these words by Emmy Award-winning writer and comedian A. Whitney Brown: “There are a billion people in China. It’s not easy to be an individual in a crowd of more than a billion people. Th ink of it. More than a BILLION people. That means even if you’re a one-in-a-million type of guy, there are still a thousand guys exactly like you.” Is Brown on to something here? Could there be a thousand, or even a few hundred, … [Read more...]
Tracy Chevalier’s ‘At the Edge of the Orchard’ and Women Game Changer Jane Hamilton’s ‘The Excellent Lombards’
It can’t be great, even for a best-selling author, to find out that a second best-selling author has also written a new novel about a family’s obsession with its apple orchard. Think of the potential for confusion. Or all the weak “how do you like them apples” jokes that might have to be endured at readings. But the latest Tracy Chevalier and Jane Hamilton novels, stylistically distinct, respectively, as plot-heavy historical fiction and leisurely evocative contemporary literature, form a complementary double feature. Paired, they make the case that the beautiful lunacy of trying to earn a … [Read more...]
Using Your 6th Sense
From Chapter 15 “Intuition” in Ingredients of Outliers. Proceed with Caution Over the years, I’ve kept a list of things that should make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. The following is a sampling of the red flags I’ve collected. Some are specific to the medical profession, but others may be helpful for anyone charged with screening prospective employees. Don't hire anyone who's rude to your receptionist or assistant. Arrogant people rarely improve their demeanor. Laziness and negativity are contagious; eradicate the source or it will infect your entire staff. … [Read more...]
Listen to Your Inner Voice
From Chapter 15 “Intuition” in Ingredients of Outliers. In his book, The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals that Protect Us from Violence, Gavin de Becker—an FBI profiler, security consultant, and presidential appointee—describes, in a thorough and compelling manner, the importance of intuition as an early warning system when our safety and well-being are threatened. At first glance, the words “gift” and “fear” may seem like an odd coupling, but de Becker quickly makes his case. In his opening chapter, he writes: “I am called an expert. I may have learned many lessons, but my basic premise … [Read more...]
Create S.M.A.R.T. Goals
From Chapter 13 “Efficiency” in Ingredients of Outliers. Put It in Writing One of the best ways to become more efficient in every area of your life is to set goals for yourself. I’m not talking about pipe dreams or bucket lists or wish lists. I’m talking about what are known as S.M.A.R.T. goals, goals which are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound. And they must be written goals. As well-known speaker, consultant, and author Tom Hopkins advises: “An unwritten want is a wish, a dream, a never-happen. The day you put your goal in writing is the day it becomes a … [Read more...]
A Difference Between Efficiency and Effectiveness
From Chapter 13 “Efficiency” in Ingredients of Outliers. A Better Way Let’s take a closer look at exactly what we mean by “efficiency,” which is sometimes confused with the word “effectiveness.” Both words are used frequently in the management literature, and some dictionaries even show each as a synonym of the other. In fact, they have separate meanings. Probably the most succinct statement about their difference came from the late Peter Drucker, the best known and most respected management consultant, educator and author of the twentieth century. Here’s what he said: “Efficiency is … [Read more...]