Essay Sample about Gladwell and The 10,000 Hour Theory

What does it take to make one successful in life? Some might say it takes hard work and time, while others might argue that it comes with luck. Malcolm Gladwell presents his theories based off of his research claiming it takes an incredible amount of hours to master skills along with some environmental factors.

The 10,000-Hour Rule is the theory that one has to practice the activity they want to succeed at for at least ten thousand hours in order to be successful. For example, Bill Joy was able to use the Computer Center at the University of Michigan, which was open for twenty-four hours, to practice his computing skills. Joy also had the opportunity to program at Berkeley University, and luckily again, it was near his apartment. Joy made the most of his situation. He spent many nights in the computer center, inserting codes just to make him better every day. Bill Gates also did not waste any free time messing around. Gates was fortunate enough to attend Lakeside Private High School, which was one of the few schools that offered a computer club. Lakeside followed a time-sharing computing program that allowed students to complete real-time programming. As Gates was presented with more and more opportunities, testing C-Cubed and interning for Information Services Inc. (ISI), Gates was easily able to reach ten thousand hours of practice in front of the computer, therefore explaining why Gates has had such incredible success throughout the years. Gladwell is correct by stating that ten thousand hours of practice will lead to success because the more you do something, the better you become, and the easier it gets. The brain picks up how to excel and be the best when it has been repeated a countless number of times. 

I am able to relate personally to Chapter 2 because I believe that with tremendous practice, the skill becomes a habit, and habit then leads to excellence. I plan on succeeding in life, I need to push myself and work my hardest to get there. One way to always get better is to repeat the skill you are trying to master and that includes time. Gladwell shows this well by explaining how some of the most successful people have worked their way up to their level of success and the efforts they went through in order to achieve those goals. If I want to reach success in my life, I will have to put my own time into working hard to make sure I go above and beyond expectations to meet the hours of practice given for success. 

The Ethnic Theory of Plane Crashes shares the difficulties of cultural differences and miscommunication. Gladwell mentions Culture of Honor and the impact it reflects upon society. The Culture of Honor respects elders along with higher authorities and how you behave towards them. This caused a very large problem between the cockpit pilots and the air traffic control. The co-pilots were not able to directly address the pilot about the weather conditions because of their superiority. Another miscommunication included the plane crash due to loss of fuel because the pilots did not feel that they had the right to firmly address their situation to ATC because they felt it was rude and disrespectful. 

I am personally able to relate to Chapter Seven because I believe the only way to get what you want is to speak up even if it does not seem like you have the right to do so. No matter who stands above you, hinting at what you want will not guarantee it to be given. Along with speaking up comes consequences that follow based on who you are talking with. There has to be respect which reflects honoring the Cultural Legacy, but also has to be straightforward. Speaking forward leads to success by demanding what you want and need along with showing how to advocate for oneself. 

Gladwell clearly shows how the environmental factors play into success, but how it also takes personal time and practice. As being successful has resulted from these practices, it does not claim that following the given steps always leads to a positive outcome, but that does not mean it is completely useless. Gladwell has traced and followed studies on some of the most successful people to see what got them to where they are to try and help others follow their goals to reach the highest level of success.