The Lucky Ones

Each and every one of us has our own way of thinking and unconsciously we transmit our beliefs through our actions. We react a certain way and when we write our opinion carries within. From billboards to a novel, authors usually write with a purpose.  They express their opinion and when they do, they don't particularly frame some one or something but instead they express their feeling unconsciously. This is what we call invisible narratives.  

Malcolm Gladwell, who in his novel Outliers talks about different success stories in the American culture, analyzes the importance of practice. Gladwell conducts research and later analyzes his results. Through out the novel Gladwell states that after 10,000 hours of practice one has mastered that particular skill. For example, mastering to play an instrument or programming a computer.

In my opinion, Gladwell’s purpose for writing The 10,000 Hour Rule chapter, is to prove that people can obtain success and with practice achieve greatness. Gladwell didn’t frame anyone, he wrote the novel for society, to encourage those who doubt themselves.

Now, when stepping out of the ideal circumstances that Gladwell explains in this novel, it becomes clear that his theory is limited. People are limited in a way that only those who are fortunate enough to practice will conquer success.  Those that can’t manage their time and can’t meet the 10,000 hours will never achieve their goals.

Gladwell also explains that successful people like Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and The Beatles were not naturals, they were driven. Because they were driven they practiced for extensive hours a day and soon they fell in love with practice. Soon The Beatles were playing in Germany without pay the only thing they were gaining was time to practice, time to meet that ideal goal. The Beatles traveled all over Germany and had the opportunity to perform over 1,200 concerts and quickly they met the 10,000 rule.

Gladwell writes with such enthusiasm and tries to convince the reader that when one is passionate one can conquer greatness. But the question lays here, can an ordinary middle class child, with parents that work full time and have several siblings, have the determination and encouragement to complete the 10,000 rule?

Who is Gladwell really trying to convince? Gladwell’s theory, in my opinion, has some flaws. Ordinary people sometimes can’t seem to find time to take their children to the park or put them to bed because they are exhausted from work or have other duties. How does Gladwell expect for someone to meet the 10,000 of practice?

Gladwell’s invisible narrative is clear here. Unconsciously he is encouraging only certain people. In particular people and children with parents who are economic stability, parents that can afford expensive private lessons or even purchase the instrument or proper equipment for their child to being their practice. The rich folks, those with the time and money to spare, there I said it.

The 10,000 rule only fits a certain population. Gladwell talks about those who were born in certain eras. For example, Bill Gates, he was born at the right time and was old enough to live and prosper from the computer revolution. If Bill Gates was to be born two or three years before the “ideal” era than he would of missed his opportunity. Here we can see that not only money is vital to your success but being at the right place at the right time is important. What happens to those who are never exposed to certain opportunities like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs because they struggling with staying alive? According to Gladwell, those who miss their opportunity will not be successful, .

Gladwell unconsciously marginalized those who are not so lucky; those who lack resource and have limited network of individuals. Reading Gladwell’s Chapter, The 10,000 Hour Rule, between the lines is just scratching the surface of the problem. There is a very strong invisible narrative in the way of Gladwell writes; even though he is analysis results we can see several flaws in his conclusion. Most of us can’t say we are as fortunate as Bill Gates or The Beatles but we can succeed, the only thing is that we will have some detours and rocky roads along the way.