Talent Is Overrated

What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else

By: Geoff Colvin

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Paperback | 25 May 2010

At a Glance

Paperback
256 Pages

Age
18+

Dimensions(cm)
17 x 12.5 x 2

Paperback

$38.75

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“Excellent.”—The Wall Street Journal

Since its publication ten years ago, businesspeople, investors, doctors, parents, students, athletes, and musicians at every level have adopted the maxims of Talent Is Overrated to get better at what they’re passionate about. Now this classic has been updated and revised with new research and takeaways to help anyone achieve even greater performance.

Why are certain people so incredibly great at what they do? Most of us think we know the answer—but we’re almost always wrong. That’s important, because if we’re wrong on this crucial question, then we have zero chance of getting significantly better at anything we care about.
Happily, the real source of great performance is no longer a mystery. Bringing together extensive scientific research, bestselling author Geoff Colvin shows where we go wrong and what actually makes world-class performers so remarkable. It isn’t specific, innate talent, nor is it plain old hard work. It’s a very specific type of work that anyone can do—but most people don’t.
What’s more, the principles of great performance apply to virtually any activity that matters to you. Readers worldwide have been inspired by this book’s liberating message: You don’t need a one-in-a-million natural gift. Better performance, and maybe even world-class performance, is closer than you think.

Industry Reviews

"Provocative." --Time

"A profoundly important book." --Dan Pink, author of A Whole New Mind

"What an exciting book!" --Ram Charan, coauthor of Execution

"I rejoice! What Geoff says comports totally with my own experiences in sports, law, and business." --Herb Kelleher, founder, Southwest Airlines

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Non-Fiction Education Careers Guidance Self-Help, Personal Development & Practical Advice Advice on Careers & Achieving Success

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Paperback

Published: 7th February 2019

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The Mystery	p. 1
Great performance is more valuable than ever-but where does it really come from?
Talent Is Overrated	p. 17
Confronting the unexpected facts about innate abilities
How Smart Do You Have to Be?	p. 36
The true role of intelligence and memory in high achievement
A Better Idea	p. 52
An explanation of great performance that makes sense
What Deliberate Practice Is and Isn't	p. 65
For starters, it isn't what most of us do when we're "practicing"
How Deliberate Practice Works	p. 84
The specific ways it changes us, and how that makes all the difference
Applying the Principles in Our Lives	p. 105
The opportunities are many-if we think about our work in a new way
Applying the Principles in Our Organizations	p. 126
Few do it well, and most don't do it at all; the sooner you start, the better
Performing Great at Innovation	p. 145
How the principles we've learned take us past the myths of creativity
Great Performance in Youth and Age	p. 167
The extraordinary benefits of starting early and continuing on and on
Where Does the Passion Come From?	p. 187
Understanding the deepest question about great performance
Afterword	p. 207
Acknowledgments	p. 214
Sources	p. 216
Index	p. 227
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

Talent Is Overrated

What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else

At a Glance

Paperback

Industry Reviews

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

Other Editions and Formats

Paperback

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