I just finished reading Malcolm Gladwell's fascinating new book called: "Outliers"

The book covers the MANY things that lead to statistically abnormal success. What are the factors that contribute to an individual becoming a statistical "Outlier"? Gladwell conveys that, while we are very interested in the factors of "success", we tend to focus too much on the individual. He states:
"We've been looking at tall trees, and I think we should have been looking at the forest...we've been far too focused on the individual—on describing the characteristics and habits and personality traits of those who get furthest ahead in the world. And that's the problem, because in order to understand the outlier I think you have to look around them—at their culture and community and family and generation."

After reading this great book, you will come to realize that among these nebulous factors are:
1) Your birthday
2) Your family
3) Your culture
4) Your opportunity to access scarce resources
5) Your intellect (but only to a point - past "good enough", it may work against you)
6) Your passion

Huh. So it IS true. Find something you love. Do that really well, and you will find success. Nice.

Here's a great interview Mr. Gladwell did with Jimmy Kimmel where he goes into a little more detail:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoH4cgSUVCY

Here's to all your future success. Or, perhaps, the success of your children...

Oh. I almost forgot; "10,000 Hours"? Well, no one who ever achieves greatness in any field has done so without first putting in 10,000 hours. Not Bill Gates. Not the Beatles. Not Michael Phelps. Not anyone.

Now get to work. ;-)