Comments on: 5 Steps to Writing Success From Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers

By: Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 21:35:14 +0000

Thanks for your comments — I totally agree that if you do what you love, then you’re not actually working. That’s why I love blogging SO much!

It is good to know that the 10,000 hours doesn’t necessarily guarantee success…but if you’re loving what you’re doing, then you’re already successful. Sweet!

By: Barrnon

Barrnon — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 12:42:03 +0000

I like his points. I certainly like the way he speaks/writes. The hours thing is an interesting mark. I have been at my passion for many years and what I have found is that it’s not marked in hours you schedule, but is record in hind sight from a point attained in the future. I have found, and I believe this is what Malcolm is saying, is that, if this is your PASSION, then you will be motivated to do it all the time. Writing is more then sitting a keyboard and typing, it thinking out your work as you walk or drive, or talk to friends or read other works. If it’s your passion and calling so to speak, then you are working on it all the time with-out realizing it or marking the time. Living in your passion is the best life anyone could live. I was taught as a young boy by my father, ” Do what you love and you will never work a day in your life ” I have found that to be very true.

By: Meg Houston Maker

Meg Houston Maker — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 22:07:52 +0000

Thanks, Laurie. You’re right of course! My brother is a professional musician, composer, and pianist. His favorite pastime? Practicing! He practices for an average of three hours per day. He’s probably hit his 10,000 hours at this point (he’s 49 years old), and yet he’s not the Bill Gates or Tiger Woods equivalent, either. So the 10,000 hours doesn’t guarantee *success* — though it does guarantee mastery. I’ll keep plugging away at it, striving for mastery in whatever form it comes!

By: Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 22:41:34 +0000

Thanks for your comments, Meg and Kelly! Funny how that 10,000 hour thing can be so motivating for one and demotivating for the other…..interesting.

Meg, remember that the 10,000 hours is for people who are wildly successful – like Bill Gates and Tiger Woods. The majority of us aren’t outliers like they are, I’m sorry to say. So, if you lower it to 2,000 hours or even 1,000 hours……you’ll still be a successful writer! Just not like Stephen King or John Grisham

By: Meg Houston Maker

Meg Houston Maker — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:51:44 +0000

I’m reading Gladwell’s book now. I’m enjoying it, but I’ve found the 10,000 hour estimate dispiriting. I can write, on average, only about one hour per day. At that rate it will take me 27.5 years to hit goal. Stepping it up to (a currently impractical) 3 hours a day would get me there in 9 years—somewhat less disheartening, but is still a long way off!

By: Kelly Watson | Womenwise Marketing

Kelly Watson | Womenwise Marketing — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 18:40:07 +0000

That 10,000-hour figure is a surprisingly good motivator for me. Even if I’m only just writing in my journal, I remember the 10,000 hours and it inspires me to put in a few more sentences.

It’s a good excuse to always be looking for opportunties to write and improve my writing ability.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:43:37 +0000

This post is the single best advice about writing that I’ve read.