Review of: The Talent Code, Daniel Coyle
How do people get good at something? Wait a minute, that’s the not the right question, how do people get great at something?
Well, frankly, there has been a significant amount of research on the matter of human performance and the development of skill/talent. Author, Daniel Coyle, has looked at the research and he also went on a road trip to what he calls “talent hotbeds”, places where great talent has been produced out of proportion to their size and perceived stature; for example, a Russian tennis club, a music school in Dallas, a soccer field in Brazil, and others.
Coyle shares what he learned in this excellent book, “The Talent Code”.
The Talent Code covers three basic areas:
1) Deep practice. Practice is important to world-class performance. I guess everyone knew that already, huh? Well, sometimes, it doesn’t hurt to remind of everyone of the obvious. What might be a little more helpful is the understanding of “how” to practice. What constitutes “deep practice”? This is the kind of practice that separates the great from the not-so-great.
The understanding of “deep practice” involves an understanding of a substance called “myelin”. Myelin is the insulation that wraps around nerve fibers. According to Coyle, myelin turns out to be a very big deal in the development of skill. Myelin is increased through deep practice and, in turn, increased myelin affects the signal strength, speed and accuracy of the electric signals traveling through nerve fibers. This increase of myelin and its effect on neurons has more to do with skill development than had previously been realized.
2) Ignition. If a person is going to invest the amount of time and passion and concentrated, difficult practice that produces high-level skill, that person will have to be deeply motivated. This is the aspect of skill development that Coyle refers to as “ignition”. Coyle writes, “Where deep practice is a cool, conscious act, ignition is a hot, mysterious burst, an awakening.” This deep passion is a necessary part of the attainment of great skill.
3) Master coaching. World class talent requires help and feedback and guidance from disciplined, committed, coaches. Think of this as the wise, older sage who can tell the student what he can’t tell himself. The development of great skill seems to require the help of people who have the ability to grow talent in others.
Much of the content of “The Talent Code” reminded me of the book, “Talent Is Overrated” by Geoff Colvin, they contain many of the same insights regarding the development of talent. I loved both of these books and they are both worth reading. One of the encouraging and motivating truths that these books reveal is that great skill can be attained by virtually anyone who is willing to sincerely and passionately make the necessary commitment to its development. But, as one of the lines in the book suggests . . . “Better get busy.”
Dan Marler
Oak Lawn, IL
www.VisitUsOnline.org
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
It’s an interesting thing with God. He will usually communicate with us in ways that involve some subtlety. There’s a Bible passage that refers to the “still small voice” of God [1 Kings 19:12]. And that’s very true. Usually—it doesn’t have to be this way, God can do whatever He wants, but, usually—when God communicates, it’s not with a loud, booming, attention-grabbing voice, like that guy from the Orange Glo commercials. Rather, it’s with a still small voice. That phrase has been translated, “a gentle whisper”.
The reason He tends to communicate with us very subtly is that He doesn’t want to coerce us to listen and obey. His desire is that we listen and obey Him because we choose to do so. Obviously, God could create humans as a kind of robot in which we would always do whatever He wanted us to do.
But what kind of relationship would that be? How many of us want Robot Friends that like us and relate with us because they have no other choice, we’ve programmed them to do so? God wants a genuine relationship with us. He wants a relationship of love. He wants a relationship where we have freely chosen to listen and obey.
If God communicated with us through the power of His direct presence, we’d have no choice. Our obedience would be coerced through sheer fear. That’s not what God wants.
So, be alert and listen carefully. Pay attention to those intuitions, something subtle might be coming your way.
Dan Marler
The reason He tends to communicate with us very subtly is that He doesn’t want to coerce us to listen and obey. His desire is that we listen and obey Him because we choose to do so. Obviously, God could create humans as a kind of robot in which we would always do whatever He wanted us to do.
But what kind of relationship would that be? How many of us want Robot Friends that like us and relate with us because they have no other choice, we’ve programmed them to do so? God wants a genuine relationship with us. He wants a relationship of love. He wants a relationship where we have freely chosen to listen and obey.
If God communicated with us through the power of His direct presence, we’d have no choice. Our obedience would be coerced through sheer fear. That’s not what God wants.
So, be alert and listen carefully. Pay attention to those intuitions, something subtle might be coming your way.
Dan Marler
Sunday, April 12, 2009
The Hope of Easter
Easter is, obviously, all about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But the celebration of Easter also provides the benefit of great hope to Christians.
A significant aspect of this hope is the belief that there is “something more”. There seems to be a desire wired into humans to know that our existence involves something more than just this life in the here and now. As you might imagine, I encounter this reality every time I officiate at a funeral.
Without the belief in something more—something beyond this life in the here and now—we are inclined toward hopelessness. The Apostle Paul writes, “And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.”
In other words: If this life is all there is then we are hopeless.
It’s interesting to note that influential atheist thinkers agree with this idea. Believing that this life is all that there is, Bertrand Russell wrote, “Only on the firm foundation of unyielding despair can the soul’s habitation henceforth be safely built.” (Emphasis added)
Can you see why Russell was not invited to many Easter parties?
Again, it’s interesting to see an important atheist thinker come to the same conclusion as the Bible: If this brief life is the end and there is nothing else then it’s a pretty sad affair and, according to Russell, the very foundation of life would be despair.
The hope that Christians have in Easter is that we share in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because He lives, we can live. There is something more. This is what stirs true hope.
It is my sincere desire that all who read this will know the peace, comfort, and inner assurance of true hope!
Dan Marler
A significant aspect of this hope is the belief that there is “something more”. There seems to be a desire wired into humans to know that our existence involves something more than just this life in the here and now. As you might imagine, I encounter this reality every time I officiate at a funeral.
Without the belief in something more—something beyond this life in the here and now—we are inclined toward hopelessness. The Apostle Paul writes, “And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.”
In other words: If this life is all there is then we are hopeless.
It’s interesting to note that influential atheist thinkers agree with this idea. Believing that this life is all that there is, Bertrand Russell wrote, “Only on the firm foundation of unyielding despair can the soul’s habitation henceforth be safely built.” (Emphasis added)
Can you see why Russell was not invited to many Easter parties?
Again, it’s interesting to see an important atheist thinker come to the same conclusion as the Bible: If this brief life is the end and there is nothing else then it’s a pretty sad affair and, according to Russell, the very foundation of life would be despair.
The hope that Christians have in Easter is that we share in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because He lives, we can live. There is something more. This is what stirs true hope.
It is my sincere desire that all who read this will know the peace, comfort, and inner assurance of true hope!
Dan Marler
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
E-Flash From Dan, April 7, 2009
Dear E-Flash Friends;
“You rarely hear about it on the news. You rarely even hear about it in churches in the West, in the East, or even in the Middle East. But the big, untold story is that more Muslims are coming to faith in Jesus Christ today than at any other time in history.”
This is a passage that I read, recently, in a fascinating book by a man named Joel Rosenberg (“Inside The Revolution”, Tyndale). Joel is Jewish man who is an Evangelical Christian. That’s interesting in and of itself. He is a successful writer and communications strategist for people such as former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Joel has spoken and traveled all over the world and been featured on ABC’s Nightline, CNN Headline News, the FOX News Channel, the History Channel, MSNBC and many others. He has addressed audiences in Russia, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and Turkey and he has spoken at the White House.
His writings about issues affecting Christianity and Judaism and Islam are based on first-hand travel to the Middle East numerous times and interviews with world leaders and military leaders.
I mention a few of his credentials so you will understand that he is a man with some credibility.
Joel quotes the leader of a Christian ministry in Iran who says, “Based on all the things we are seeing inside Iran today, I personally believe that if every Iranian who secretly believes in Jesus could come forward right now and declare his or her faith publicly, the number would top a million.”
Notice that this is happening in Iran. That is extraordinary! The gospel of Jesus Christ is going forth powerfully and effectively in our world. Even in some of the most hostile-to-Christianity places on earth.
I’m sorry, I can’t resist just one more quote. Rosenberg writes, “what intrigues me is not simply that the [Christian leaders in the Middle East] say the greatest spiritual awakening in the history of the Middle East is under way. What intrigues me is that Islamic leaders are worrying in public that a Christian surge is taking place in the region.”
Did you catch that line? “The greatest spiritual awakening in the history of the Middle East.” The Kingdom of Jesus Christ is advancing. Isn’t it great to be a part of His Kingdom?
(Psst! I skipped ahead to the end of the book and read the conclusion already: Jesus’ Kingdom prevails!)
The longer I serve Him and the more I study other worldviews and other religious systems and other philosophical points of view, the more I am attracted to the truth and the beauty of Jesus. He is absolutely compelling. And I admit that I am biased, but no one else and nothing else compares with Him! He stands alone in a category all by himself.
This week we have the privilege of remembering him and honoring him and worshiping him as we remember the single most eternity-altering event in all of human history: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
It’s Tuesday as I write this E-Flash and I can’t wait for the weekend to get here so that we can celebrate Easter together! (Actually, it’s probably a good thing that the weekend isn’t here, yet, since I still have to write the message. But I’m excited, nevertheless.)
Our Good Friday service will be, April 10, at 7 pm.
And our Easter services will be Saturday, April 11, at 5 pm, and Sunday, April 12, at 9 and 11 am.
I look forward to seeing you all.
Remember, this is a great time to invite someone. People go to church on Easter. Can you think of someone you could invite?
Blessings,
Dan
“You rarely hear about it on the news. You rarely even hear about it in churches in the West, in the East, or even in the Middle East. But the big, untold story is that more Muslims are coming to faith in Jesus Christ today than at any other time in history.”
This is a passage that I read, recently, in a fascinating book by a man named Joel Rosenberg (“Inside The Revolution”, Tyndale). Joel is Jewish man who is an Evangelical Christian. That’s interesting in and of itself. He is a successful writer and communications strategist for people such as former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Joel has spoken and traveled all over the world and been featured on ABC’s Nightline, CNN Headline News, the FOX News Channel, the History Channel, MSNBC and many others. He has addressed audiences in Russia, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and Turkey and he has spoken at the White House.
His writings about issues affecting Christianity and Judaism and Islam are based on first-hand travel to the Middle East numerous times and interviews with world leaders and military leaders.
I mention a few of his credentials so you will understand that he is a man with some credibility.
Joel quotes the leader of a Christian ministry in Iran who says, “Based on all the things we are seeing inside Iran today, I personally believe that if every Iranian who secretly believes in Jesus could come forward right now and declare his or her faith publicly, the number would top a million.”
Notice that this is happening in Iran. That is extraordinary! The gospel of Jesus Christ is going forth powerfully and effectively in our world. Even in some of the most hostile-to-Christianity places on earth.
I’m sorry, I can’t resist just one more quote. Rosenberg writes, “what intrigues me is not simply that the [Christian leaders in the Middle East] say the greatest spiritual awakening in the history of the Middle East is under way. What intrigues me is that Islamic leaders are worrying in public that a Christian surge is taking place in the region.”
Did you catch that line? “The greatest spiritual awakening in the history of the Middle East.” The Kingdom of Jesus Christ is advancing. Isn’t it great to be a part of His Kingdom?
(Psst! I skipped ahead to the end of the book and read the conclusion already: Jesus’ Kingdom prevails!)
The longer I serve Him and the more I study other worldviews and other religious systems and other philosophical points of view, the more I am attracted to the truth and the beauty of Jesus. He is absolutely compelling. And I admit that I am biased, but no one else and nothing else compares with Him! He stands alone in a category all by himself.
This week we have the privilege of remembering him and honoring him and worshiping him as we remember the single most eternity-altering event in all of human history: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
It’s Tuesday as I write this E-Flash and I can’t wait for the weekend to get here so that we can celebrate Easter together! (Actually, it’s probably a good thing that the weekend isn’t here, yet, since I still have to write the message. But I’m excited, nevertheless.)
Our Good Friday service will be, April 10, at 7 pm.
And our Easter services will be Saturday, April 11, at 5 pm, and Sunday, April 12, at 9 and 11 am.
I look forward to seeing you all.
Remember, this is a great time to invite someone. People go to church on Easter. Can you think of someone you could invite?
Blessings,
Dan
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