The Talent Code: Unlocking the Secret of Skill in Sports, Art, Music, Math, and Just About Everything Else
What is the secret of talent? How do we unlock it? In this groundbreaking work, journalist and New York Times bestselling author Daniel Coyle provides parents, teachers, coaches, businesspeople—and everyone else—with tools they can use to maximize potential in themselves and others.
Whether you’re coaching soccer or teaching a child to play the piano, writing a novel ...more
Whether you’re coaching soccer or teaching a child to play the piano, writing a novel ...more
Audio CD, 5 pages
Published
April 28th 2009
by HighBridge Company
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This book is first and foremost a cultural myth-buster. There are so many dangerous collectively held beliefs about human potential and its limits. One of the greatest insults that we can say to someone who is talented is that they came by it naturally. When we label people as naturally talented, or smart it is a back-handed compliment that tries to downplay their efforts while excusing our own laziness. Everyone who is talented or gifted came by it the hard way, through dedicated hard-work. ...more
What a fascinating read! Daniel Coyle spent two years visiting talent "hotbeds," like Brazil with it's soccer factory, Russia's tennis training ground, and the Z-Boys in California. He studied the practicing, the coaches, and the environmental factors that contribute to these bundles of genius or greatness. He connects what he finds to the latest research and conclusions about how skills and talent grow at the brain level. His conclusions about growing talent are widely applicable, and ...more
Jun 21, 2010
Totheralistair
added it
Notes on The Talent Code
Daniel Coyle
I like this book immensely, no matter what you read below :). This note is a reminder to me, not a book review :). The first third of this book goes over what is also very well presented in "Talent is Overrated").
Book in 3 parts:
1. Practice
2. Motivation
3. Coaching
He defines "Talent" in a way that is different from anything I've seen, but aligns to his intention with t ...more
Daniel Coyle
I like this book immensely, no matter what you read below :). This note is a reminder to me, not a book review :). The first third of this book goes over what is also very well presented in "Talent is Overrated").
Book in 3 parts:
1. Practice
2. Motivation
3. Coaching
He defines "Talent" in a way that is different from anything I've seen, but aligns to his intention with t ...more
This book was interesting for someone looking to make it to the olympic, or pro level in sports mainly, but he includes other things like, music profession, or just regular things like getting your baby to walk earlier than most. His main premiss is that you must have the passion to practice deeply (slowly, making mistakes and correcting them, being highly disciplined along with perfected execution of your sports movements doing all this for approx. 10,000 hrs to get to the pro level.
He ...more
He ...more
Apr 23, 2010
Gordon
rated it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
economics---human-behavior,
leadership
This is a great book for anyone. If you are a teacher, a professor, or a coach, it is a must. The basic premise is that world class talent is the function of proven steps - ignition (motivation with vision - externally or self-induced), deep practice (slow, deliberate, repetition, error-focused), and master coaching (individualized, information-specific). Suprisingly Dan Coyle proves that skill is physically visible and the result of a natural occurring material called myelin which wraps the ...more
It has an interesting take on talent, but it basically breaks down into the regular "practice makes you better" kind of idea. However, he modifies it to be "deep practice produces talent."
As far as the writing goes, it's not bad. He gives good illustrations of his points and spells things out fairly clearly. I never felt the writing get dull.
I do have two gripes about the book. One is the title - is this playing off of a Dan Brown title to sell more?
...more
As far as the writing goes, it's not bad. He gives good illustrations of his points and spells things out fairly clearly. I never felt the writing get dull.
I do have two gripes about the book. One is the title - is this playing off of a Dan Brown title to sell more?
...more
Oct 21, 2009
Kaylie Reed
added it
A discussion of the role of myelination in the development of talent, which he claims has no genetic component, but instead is purely a result of exposure and practice-induced myelination of specific neural circuits triggered by certain signals. These signals come from deep, targeted practice that focuses on finding and correcting mistakes. Staying in this trying state of constant improvement requires intense motivation which he argues comes from igniting events in a life or inspiration from g ...more
Excellent but flawed--
This is frankly a paradigm-shifting book that opens your eyes to what's possible in cultivating your potentials and talents.
The part about how true "deep practice" is possible only for 3 to 5 hours a day jibes with my experience in creative writing and also with Tim Ferriss's assertion that "I don’t believe that it is possible to do more than 4 hours of good creative work per waking cycle" (found at http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/200... ...more
This is frankly a paradigm-shifting book that opens your eyes to what's possible in cultivating your potentials and talents.
The part about how true "deep practice" is possible only for 3 to 5 hours a day jibes with my experience in creative writing and also with Tim Ferriss's assertion that "I don’t believe that it is possible to do more than 4 hours of good creative work per waking cycle" (found at http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/200... ...more
A required read for anyone who worries that their inherent talent/ability is holding them back from excellence. The basic idea is that "talent" is not inborn. Anyone who achieves greatness at an art or skill gets there through deep practice, hard work, passion, and good mentoring, by always challenging themselves to get to the next level, for at least 10 years. I feel that as a result of reading this book, people will go on to do great things they never before thought they were capable ...more
this is one of the most interesting books i have ever read. it's about what makes a genius - kind of a nature v. nurture but it takes it to a level that scientist have just recently uncovered. it's also a fascinating look on hot pockets of talent and what makes surprising places alive to nurturing stars in all kinds of different fields.
also - if you got kids, it's a fascinating look at what you can do to nurture you're little bean to greatness.
look - i love fiction. ...more
also - if you got kids, it's a fascinating look at what you can do to nurture you're little bean to greatness.
look - i love fiction. ...more
Dec 03, 2009
Earleen Smith
added it
This was a fascinating read for me - maybe because I am trying to recover brain function and it gives me hope. I also loved the anecdotal style of his writing. I think it shows that we all need to reach out and mentor someone - not that we necessarily all reach the skill levels he talks about - but that surely there are things we offer to those with less experience, less opportunity and some desire, maybe even not knowing they will ever have that desire. Everyone deserves a spark of hope and thi ...more
Interesting book about the acquisition of skill. I'm going to make my kids listen to at least parts of it - mostly the descriptions of "deep practice" and just how the process works overall.
The book did try to be too many things though - which made the scientific explanations kind of surface, and the descriptions of the process were as well. I almost wished he had picked one or the other and really got into it. I was more interested in the practical explanation.
The book did try to be too many things though - which made the scientific explanations kind of surface, and the descriptions of the process were as well. I almost wished he had picked one or the other and really got into it. I was more interested in the practical explanation.
Wow, an incredible, paradigm-changing book on how talent is formed. As the subtitle says, talent is grown, not born. Through consistent deep practice, with the right cues and motivation (what Coyle calls "ignition"), and with the blessing of expert coaching, talent can be found in surprising places. Coyle travels the world to find talent hotbeds of soccer (Sao Paulo), tennis, music; discovers the secrets of talent formation; and then artfully applies this formula to varied industries s ...more
Very interesting book. I listen to the whole thing at least twice. I think the bottom line of the book is that it teaches modesty. Success comes from deep practice. I would call it creative practice. Practice that pushes the mind to new places each time it sets itself in practice mode. Also it is the minutia and the consistent repetition of creative practice that makes the creative part useful.
This book was fascinating! The author looks into what brings about what we call talent. Through the right ignition, coaching and firing of circuits in our brains, we can all gain and improve skills. The concept of deep practice rang true to me. I'll still hold that some people and their talents are conduits of the Divine for the rest of us to enjoy, but I now believe that if we work hard enough, in the right way, we can improve our skills significantly in whatever we try. I want Lucy's coach ...more
This book has the power to be life-changing and is a must for anyone with children. At the core of the book is the tenent that everything can be learned and then breaks success into three parts: what constitutes good practice, what motivates or ignites dedication, and what is good coaching. It is a hopeful book, an encouraging book, a book that says, "Anything is possible! Go out and make it happen!"
A good companion book to two other books, Outliers by M. Gladwell & Talent is Overrated by Geoff Colvin. This book has some interesting anecdotes of talent hotbeds as well as practical tips on how to develop talent. The general idea overlaps the other two books, but that is where the similarities end. This book does add more to the discussion of this topic and is definitely worth the read.
Not usually one for the "self help books", but this was recommended. I read a sample chapter online and was really intrigued. It is about the way one interprets and learns - using failure (as opposed to success) as the way to learn effectively. I find myself already thinking in these terms as I learn accordeon. It is about delving in instead of skimming the surface.
Worth a read.
Worth a read.
This book really changed the way I looked at how we learn things. Even the appendix of the book was interesting. If you ever want to hone your skill in any subject area, I suggest you read this book. The author went into the subject of teaching and how children learn best. Has definitely changed how I will approach teaching.
If you are looking for the juncture of neuroscience, motivation, and flat out what makes some people learn better than others, this is the quintessential book. Filled with equal parts anecdote, example, and explanation, it is a quick read. Coyle's engaging style makes it fun along the way. Hands down, this is a book anyone who is half-way serious at improving education should read. Let me know what you think...I am curious to your reactions.
A bit like Outliers, and didn't tell my much I didn't know (well, I didn't know about myelin, but I knew the idea of it), but I enjoyed it. I want to use it to talk about how and why we create the culture we do at our school with new staff.
great stuff: One of the premises is that all talent is not genetic. You can learn any skill, physical or mental via the process of training your nervous system and improving the insulation around the nerves (myelin) through concentrated practice.
A book every teacher, learner, or anyone instructing people should read and study. Science has uncovered much on how we acquire knowledge and skill, but not near enough of the techniques and insights have been made available to learners.
The author talks about a spark and deep practice, but he didn't really talk about it in a way that was very helpful to me. I did feel inspired to do something new. And it was interesting and quick to read.
Pop science book on what makes us successful. Steels alot of idea (such as 10,000 hours to become world class at anything) and makes scientific sense out of it.
I learned quite alot and wasnt too heavy
I learned quite alot and wasnt too heavy
Not often do I give 5 stars, but this one was a no-brainer.
This book could be complex and full of sophisticated language. Insted, it's about the fastest 200 pages possible.
The implications of myelin and the three components of talent (deep practice, ignition and master coaching) are so far-reaching. Whether it's music, education, sports or really anything that the word "TALENT" can be tied to, this book dissects it and puts it back together.
It's like Einstein's theory ...more
This book could be complex and full of sophisticated language. Insted, it's about the fastest 200 pages possible.
The implications of myelin and the three components of talent (deep practice, ignition and master coaching) are so far-reaching. Whether it's music, education, sports or really anything that the word "TALENT" can be tied to, this book dissects it and puts it back together.
It's like Einstein's theory ...more
Fascinating book offering a new look at talent and how we can incubate it. I love the new perspective it gives me on teaching and learning hands-on skills. I found this book to be really inspiring.
Jul 11, 2009
Allison
added it
Fascinating book about how we become good at things. It's not just 10,000 hours. also great on how to practice and what makes a good coach/fuels motivation...
my summer reading book for school
really interesting - I think Jason Ross would really enjoy it (Emily -- here is a gift idea....)
really interesting - I think Jason Ross would really enjoy it (Emily -- here is a gift idea....)
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| 100+ Books in 2010: Jim Takchess 2009 100+ list | 93 | 445 | Feb 23, 2010 03:09pm |
Author of the New York Times bestseller Lance Armstrong’s War, Hardball: A Season in the Projects, Waking Samuel, and most recently The Talent Code. Coyle has written for Sports Illustrated, Play, and the New York Times Magazine. His work has appeared multiple times in Best American Sports Writing, and he is a two-time National Magazine Award finalist. He lives in Homer, Alaska, with his wife J ...more
More about Daniel Coyle...
