Thursday, January 6, 2011

Seizing Opportunities


Seizing Opportunities:
A Reflection on "Outliers: the Story of Success," by Malcolm Gladwell

In his book, Outliers, Malcolm Galdwell writes, “Outliers are those who have been given opportunities—and who have had the strength and presence of mind to seize them.” This statement serves as a conclusion to Gladwell’s argument. He refutes the notion that “successful people” have a natural or superb quality that enables them to succeed. While natural ability is significant, Gladwell argues there are other factors that are just as significant to an individual’s success. In particular, he shows that unique opportunities resulting from a person’s month or year of birth, age, culture background, and social status allow people with natural ability to emerge as “outliers.” Those individuals who are “most” successful are innately gifted, privileged with unique opportunities, but most importantly, they have the strength and the presence of mind to seize the opportunities that suit their gifts.

I just finished reading Outliers. I believe it is a good book because I was engaged by it. Gladwell persuaded me to reconsider not only my understanding of success, but also how an individual achieves success. While Gladwell suggests that success is contingent upon uncontrolled opportunities, an individual will not be successful if he or she fails to seize those opportunities. There is a responsibility that falls upon the individual. He or she has to be willing to work. An individual must put forth effort, invest a considerable amount of time, and nurture their talents if they hope to turn their opportunities into success stories.

I do not think you have to search too far into Scripture for support of Gladwell’s argument. For example, consider Paul. Paul was born at just the right time; he was already in his early adult years at the time of Jesus’ death. Somehow or another, he acquired sound knowledge of the Hebrew scripture and possessed a keen understanding of Hebrew tradition (after all, he was a Hebrew among Hebrews). Unlike anyone else, Paul experienced a unique encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus. Yet, the success of Paul’s ministry is not wholly contingent upon the opportunities specific to him. By the grace of God, Paul was effective as a minister because he was willing to put forth effort, to invest a lifetime into his work, and to nurture the talents God gave him. His willingness to respond to the opportunities God presented to him and his faith that God would supply him with strength that enabled Paul to emerge as an “outlier.”

If you have the time and if you are interested I encourage you to read Malcolm Gladwell’s book, Outliers. Even if you are unable to read it, I hope you are encouraged by his insight: An individual’s success is contingent upon many factors. Some factors cannot be controlled, but there is one factor wholly depended upon us. If we ever hope to turn our opportunities into stories of success we must be willing to seize them.

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