The talent code
by Daniel Coyle · first published 2009
74% recommend26% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Readable, example-rich case that skill comes from deep practice, working at the edge of your ability, rather than innate talent; suits learners of music, coding or any craft who want practical habits.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Daniel Coyle, a revered journalist, spent years investigating the possible origins of skill. Whether it is sports, language, mathematics, or science, Coyle asserts the biology and myelin are the two biggest factors in producing success. Based on his findings, Coyle presents an easy, foolproof program that will allow listeners to develop their own path toward success.
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…learned how to do them faster (and maybe better) but he still learned nothing more about complex systems or secure systems. Only with intense study and practice he can master such stuffs effectively. The Talent Code of Coyle is a good book to start reading about deliberate practice.
on “Programming: Doing it more vs. doing it better” ↗…different to simply code 10,000 hours in your day job. When googling for that term, you'll find plenty of studies and other resources. :) If you are interested in this topic, I can recommend the book "The Talent Code" by Daniel Coyle - yes, the title is cheesy but it's a good book, I've read it in pretty much one sitting. A gentle and entertaining introduction into the whole field of how to become an expert. "Pragmatic…
on “Twelve Tips to Master Programming Faster” ↗…over time the way ability does when it comes to personal improvement. 1. I haven't actually read Outliers but I'm familiar with its thesis. If it's anything like Gladwell's other books, I recommend The Talent Code for better treatment of the subject matter. Norvig's http://norvig.com/21-days.html is also great reading.
on “The One Thousand Hour Rule” ↗…but there's some books on the topic. For an in depth review, there's the "Cambridge Handbook of Expertise and Expert Performance"[0]. For a lighter book more along the lines of Outliers, theres "The Talent Code"[1] by Daniel Coyle. AFAIK, both draw from the Cambridge book. Both of them are worth a look, the 10,000 hour rule might tell you "I can do it", but these will tell you "How to do it". [0][https://www.amazon.com/Cambridge-Expertise-Performance-Handb...] [1][https://www.amazon.com/Talent-Code-Greatness-Born-Grown/dp/0...]
on “Malcolm Gladwell got us wrong: here’s what got oversimplified” ↗…make exercises less boring (and more effective) by varying the way you play them. Vary the rhythm you play (triplets, etc), switch between legato/staccato, and so on. The Deep Practice section of The Talent Code (http://www.amazon.com/Talent-Code-Greatness-Born-Grown/dp/05...) may provide more inspiration for how to practice effectively.
on “There's no speed limit. (The lessons that changed my life.)” ↗…novels, start with Player of Games David Louis Edelman: Jump 225 Trilogy Daniel Suarez: Daemon and Freedom(tm) John Scalzi: Old Man's War series Dan Simmons: Hyperion Self-improvement: The Talent Code Seeking Wisdom: From Darwin to Munger Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion Non-fiction: Amusing Ourselves To Death (highly recommended) The Science of Fear The Black Swan Tokyo Vice…
on “Ask HN: Interesting (Non software) books?” ↗That book and The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle[1] have both left a tremendous impact on me. I think partly because both eschew the mumbo-jumbo, hand wavy, pseudo-science approach, they're both easy to read for the layman and most importantly…
on “Understanding Ego Depletion” ↗…justified more deeply than this. However, since it is useful, here are some resources to begin learning about what intelligence and cognitive research have to say about the matter: http://www.amazon.com/The-Talent-Code-Greatness-Grown/dp/055... http://www.amazon.com/The-Genius-All-Us-Insights/dp/03073873... http://healthland.time.com/2012/12/26/motivation-not-iq-matt... http://www.cogmed.com/impact-working-memory-training-young-p...…
on “Wozniak Says `Lot of Things Wrong’ With Jobs Movie [video]” ↗Yes: http://www.amazon.com/Talent-Code-Greatness-Born-Grown/dp/05... Success/fame/fortune/happiness/etc are another matter, but skill acquisition has been shown to be generally straightforward. Some things may have higher learning curves…
on “Why there is no Hitchhiker’s Guide to Mathematics for Programmers” ↗…mindset. So what you want to do is to help them change their mindset. I have read 2 really, really interesting books on that matter. The first is called 'Mindset' by Carol Dweck and the second one is 'Talent Code' by Daniel Coyle. They are so valuable I believe that from now on we will see a blossoming of talents in the western world never seen before due to such books addressing mindset problems. I hope you take…
on “Ask HN: How can I encourage my co-workers to grow further as engineers?” ↗Follow sporkologist's advice and also read "The Talent Code" by Daniel Coyle. It will give insight into why some approaches to practice produce far better results than others.
on “Music Theory: An Education from First Principles” ↗On the same trail of thought https://www.amazon.ca/Talent-Code-Greatness-Born-Grown/dp/05... is a great read. Shows many examples of how deliberate practice on the edge of your current ability is what equals mastery ( whilst also exploring the science behind it…
on “The Myth of 10,000 hours” ↗My criterion is 'influential on me', they may not necessarily be the greatest works of literature. Mastery - Robert Greene The Talent Code - Daniel Coyle Peak - Anders Ericsson The Power of Now - Eckhart Tolle A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy - William B. Irvine The Power of Habit - Charles Duhigg Make It Stick:…
on “Ask HN: Best books you read in the past decade?” ↗…performance, removing mental obstacles, cross-disciplinary learning, and nature vs. nurture: - The Art of Learning: A Journey in the Pursuit of Excellence - Josh Waitzkin - Way of the Peaceful Warrior - The Talent Code - Coyle - Bounce - Syed 3. Add some insightful structure to your perspective. Do you have a pessimistic and deterministic mindset that is a detriment to your success? - http://blakemasters.com/post/23435743973/peter-thiels-cs183-...…
on “How to become a Good Theoretical Physicist” ↗…happens when you die. To be clear: the author is not pretending this is fact! The framework is inspiring for anyone: coming up with 40 different answers to any one question. http://sivers.org/book/Sum The Talent Code - by Daniel Coyle: A great book showing that deep practice - (struggling in certain targeted ways - operating at the edges of your ability, where you make mistakes - experiences where you're forced to…
on “Ask HN: Great books you read in 2009?” ↗