Shyness

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An outlier is defined as something observed as significantly different (above or below) or lying outside the sample set or an average. With this paper, I intend to summarize Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, as well as use it in describing why I think Lionel Messi is an outlier.
In outliers, Gladwell (2008) examines what makes some people remarkably more successful than others. It is commonly thought that talent, intelligence, and hard work, far above average, is all that is needed to gain great success. Gladwell challenges this belief through thorough background research on some distinguished outliers. I intend to summarize his key points, necessary for an outlier, and apply them to my chosen outlier, Lionel Messi. In a world where success is said to be achieved through talent and hard work, it seems to have a lot more to do with unfair advantages and opportunities. The key aspects Gladwell (2008) relates to an outlier include innate talent, opportunities, practice, upbringing and family influence, cultural legacy, and the relevance or importance of one’s work. I will now go on to further explain and expand on these characteristics individually.
The first characteristic needed to excel as an outlier is innate talent. In order to truly excel in anything, one must have the talent to foster success. Gladwell concedes that talent and hard work are factors in success. Human achievements, he argues, demand ability and talent, disciplined by at least 10,000 hours of practice. Having talent alone does not make one successful. Having the fortitude to take advantage of opportunities afforded to you, and the determination to practice for as long as it takes to master your craft is what leads to true success.
Next, let’s take a look at opportuni...

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...t success through opportunities and hard work. Having the fortitude to seize all the opportunities at hand and the resolve to work hard, even early on in life, through his medical problems, Lionel Messi has been able to outshine all others and make a name for himself as one of the best to ever play the game of football.
Having opportunities and advantages not readily available to others, being born at a time that enables you to take advantage of opportunities unavailable to those born before or after you, having parents engaged and involved in your effort to success, and the endurance to practice day in and day out makes an outlier. Innate talent is the cornerstone of any success story. But to truly understand one’s journey to success, you need to delve deeper to uncover the true aspects of their success. And in the process, maybe make a case for them as an outlier.

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