The myth of talent and the power of practice
This week in what I’ve been reading: Bounce by Matthew Syed
If you’re in pursuit of success and high performance in any endeavour, whether personal or professional, this book is for you. Bounce challenges common assumptions around what it really takes to be exceptional, that we must somehow be born brilliant, and lays out what it takes in terms of practise, mindset and self-belief for anyone (yes…anyone) to succeed. While it may at times feel as if you’re being delivered some harsh truths, it is an uplifting and positive book, packed with fascinating stories drawn from the world of sport.
What’s it all about then?
Bounce systematically unpacks the different elements required for high performance, and in doing so debunks many popular myths that surround what it takes.
The opening section explores the myth of talent, richly illustrated through both Syed’s own story of becoming the top table tennis player in the UK, and many other stories from elite sport and beyond. He looks at the importance of purposeful practice, experience derived through hard work over a period of time, circumstances and motivation. These may seem obvious, and yet, so many of us strive for elite-level performance and don’t make it, so these chapters also provide an opportunity to reflect for ourselves on what might be missing, or how we could create the environment and conditions to succeed.
The second half of the book focuses more on what’s inside our heads. Syed looks at how our minds can help or hinder us; how at times the issue is not too little focus on something, but too much, so that things that we have practised so extensively that we can do them without thinking suddenly feel awkward. Alongside this is the power of developing the ability to simultaneously care deeply about something while also being able to ease the pressure we put on ourselves by maintaining a sense of perspective. It has to matter enough for us to put in the many hours (and years) of practise, yet not matter too much, such that we can be free to deliver our best performance.
The final couple of chapters focus on two particular elements of high-performance in sport. He first explores the impact and ethics of doping, highlighting some inherent contradictions in attitudes as well as the problems caused by limitations of testing. Finally he tackles the question of genetic advantages, concluding that while they do exist, the impacts of culture, environment and circumstances are what determine whether such advantages are realised.
What are the highlights?
The exploration of the power of practice has stayed with me since I first read this book more than a decade ago. At the time it felt a little like a personal attack – I was keen to attribute my lack of success to anyone but me, yet reading Bounce showed me that I needed to take a lot more responsibility, and have a great deal more patience.
Yet Syed left me inspired, not disheartened. I realised that if I was willing to practise with thought and intention, and was willing to persist, I would get there. Patience has never been my strong suit, but the stories really highlighted that no one – no one – is an overnight success. There really is no such thing, it’s simply that we’ve not seen the work that has gone in beforehand, or the failures along the way.
Anything you didn’t like?
As a bit of a sports nerd I found the final two chapters (on doping and genetic advantages) interesting, but for me they didn’t sit comfortably with the rest of the book. While the majority of Bounce was not only interesting from a sporting perspective, but widely applicable elsewhere, these chapters felt much more niche interest. That said, if you’re a sports fan of any variety, you’ll still find them a good read.
The other issue which I’m more aware of now, in 2024, than when I first read this, is that of unacknowledged privilege. While I do still believe we all have the potential to be exceptional, we have to recognise that not everyone is starting from the same point. Some have far more barriers to overcome simply to get to the starting line, and dismantling those barriers is part of the key to making high performance in any area accessible to all.
Why should I read it?
If you’re the kind of person who looks to others and wonders how they managed to be so successful, this book will help you look back at yourself and figure out what you could be doing differently to achieve the results you’re seeking.
Try reading it with that lens in mind. For every story, every example, ask yourself:
What’s the parallel for you?
What could I do differently?
What am I avoiding?
Where could I be more patient/persistent?
How could I adapt my circumstances and environment to increase my chances of success?
What’s the one thing you’ll do differently as a result of reading this?
I’m recommitting to purposeful practise. Like many people, there a few things I constantly wish I was better at. Yet while I keep wishing I could shortcut the work, in real life that won’t happen.
So I’m going to cut down my internal whining and get out there and practise (purposefully) as the route to actually getting better.
Bounce: The Myth of Talent and the Power of Practice
By Matthew Syed. Published by Fourth Estate, 1 April 2011.
Available at Amazon UK, Amazon US, or Bookshop.org . (#aff links)
Have you read Bounce? I’d love to hear what you thought, so click here to add a comment or your own review:
A little more on the Small Stuff
It was great to see my adapted excerpt from Do Sweat the Small Stuff appear in Fast Company recently, exploring how crucial our micro-interactions are for all our relationships.
If you didn’t catch it, here’s the link to have a read.
And finally, some news…
I received a very exciting email this week letting me know that Do Sweat the Small Stuff is one of just ten books shortlisted for the Institute of Leadership’s Leadership Book of the Year 2024! It’s lovely to have the book and its concepts recognised, and I’m excited to see how we do at the awards in November. Watch this space for updates!
PS If you haven't yet read it, perhaps consider this a sign to get yourself a copy and rectify that 😉 You can buy it from Amazon UK, Amazon US, Bookshop.org or all good bookshops #aff
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