4. The Talent Code: Greatness Isn’t Born. It’s Grown. Here’s How. by Daniel Coyle
This book is complementary to Talent is Overrated in that the author describes the physiology of “deep practice” and gives easy to understand explanations of how it works.
All skill is located inside the brain—and “deep practice” can increase the velocity of skill acquisition 10 times more effectively than regular practice by changing the brain’s structure. Talent is related to myelin sheath development which grows in response to specific techniques of practice know to the world’s premier performers.
Video: The Talent Code
5. The Slight Edge: Secret to a Successful Life by Jeff Olson
Author Jeff Olson has condensed the wisdom of centuries of human development thought into an eloquently simple and accessible philosophy known as “The Slight Edge.”
The idea is that we have a watershed point in life where we make one of two choices; 1) simple disciplines, or, 2) simple errors in judgment–then consistently repeat them.
Throughout our days we are faced with “choice points” (Cheese burger or salad—smoke or not to smoke) and these don’t have an immediate impact, so we think they don’t matter. But over time there is an accumulative effect and what was once hard (not smoking) now is easy (climbing stairs) and what was once easy (smoking) now makes life hard (climbing stairs).
The Slight Edge shows kids (and adults) how the future is affected by one’s current philosophy.
The book includes 3 stories which exemplify The Slight Edge
- The Water Hyacinth
- Two Frogs
- The Choice
For years I told patients “you can take the time to be healthy, or you’re going to have to take the time to be sick,” this is the essence of The Slight Edge—and the application is relevant to any aspect of life, from money to good human relations.
The book also includes simple graphs as visual examples of The Slight Edge and how it works; so kids will be able to easily understand the concept and how to apply it to their lives.
“Every day, in every moment, you get to exercise choices that will determine whether or not you will become a great person, living a great life. Greatness is not something predetermined, predestined or carved into your fate by forces beyond your control. Greatness is always in the moment of the decision.”
- Jeff Olson
Video: The Slight Edge