This article is inspired by the themes explored in Netflix’s movie “The Gray Man,” which was released on July 22nd. The film features Sierra 6, the most skilled CIA operative, prompting us to question what truly makes someone the best in their field. Is it sheer hard work, natural talent, or something else entirely?
We’ve all heard that putting in the hours and grinding away will lead to success. The 10,000-hour rule suggests that becoming an expert requires extensive practice. However, this idea might be too simplistic. While dedication is important, it doesn’t guarantee you’ll become the best.
Consider athletic ability. Research shows that genetics significantly influence how well individuals respond to training. In studies where participants underwent the same training, results varied widely. Those related by blood often showed similar improvements, indicating a genetic component. About 50% of athletic improvement is linked to genetics, suggesting that some people are naturally predisposed to excel.
Moreover, genetics also affect baseline abilities. Some individuals are naturally more fit, even without training. For instance, certain genes can result in larger blood volumes, enhancing cardiovascular performance. Similarly, lower levels of the protein myostatin can lead to greater muscle growth. Thus, genetics play a crucial role in determining one’s potential for skill acquisition.
While genetics are important, your environment and peers also matter. Consider SAT scores at different colleges. At top schools like Harvard, even students with the lowest scores are often smarter than the best students at average schools. Yet, graduation rates are similar. This is known as the “big fish, little pond” effect, where individuals compare themselves to their immediate peers rather than globally.
This comparison can influence feelings of inadequacy, even among talented individuals. A study on economists showed that top students from less prestigious schools often published more than those from top schools. Your surroundings can significantly impact how valuable your hard work is perceived to be.
Interestingly, top performers often have diverse experiences. Elite athletes and successful individuals typically explore various activities in their youth before specializing. This “sampling period” allows them to discover their interests and strengths.
For example, studies on musicians reveal that exceptional talent isn’t solely linked to practice hours. Many top musicians come from less musically active families and initially explore multiple instruments. Similarly, Nobel Prize winners often have diverse backgrounds, including participation in performing arts, suggesting that varied experiences contribute to success.
While hard work is essential, it isn’t the sole factor for extreme success. The timing and context of your efforts are crucial. It’s important to find something you love and have a natural affinity for, and then dedicate yourself to it. Recognizing the role of luck in your genetics, circumstances, and experiences can also be valuable.
This exploration of success was inspired by “The Gray Man,” an action-packed film featuring Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans. If you’re interested in thrilling stories of skill and determination, be sure to check it out!
Thanks to Netflix for sponsoring this discussion. If you enjoyed this article, feel free to share it and explore more insights in future science videos!
Engage in a debate with your classmates about the role of genetics versus hard work in achieving success. Prepare arguments for both sides, considering the evidence presented in the article about athletic performance and genetic predispositions. This will help you critically analyze the impact of innate abilities on success.
Conduct a case study on the “big fish, little pond” effect by researching real-life examples of individuals who thrived in different environments. Present your findings to the class, highlighting how their surroundings influenced their success. This activity will deepen your understanding of how environment and peer comparison affect achievement.
Participate in a workshop where you explore various activities outside your field of study. Reflect on how these experiences might contribute to your personal and professional growth. Share your insights with peers to appreciate the value of diverse experiences in shaping successful individuals.
Write a reflection essay on what success means to you, incorporating the themes discussed in the article. Consider the balance between hard work, genetics, environment, and diverse experiences. This exercise will help you articulate your personal philosophy on success and identify areas for growth.
Watch “The Gray Man” and analyze how the film portrays the concepts of skill, determination, and success. Discuss with your classmates how the movie’s themes relate to the article’s insights. This activity will enhance your ability to connect media representations with academic concepts.
This episode is sponsored by Netflix and their new movie “The Gray Man,” which is out July 22nd.
Does hard work matter? You’ve probably been told that if you just grind it out and put in the hours, no matter what your field, you can be successful. The 10,000-hour rule to become an expert at something has been touted for years, and many are convinced that dedicating yourself fully will yield results. But what if I told you that this idea might be oversimplified?
This concept was inspired by Sierra 6 from “The Gray Man,” the most skilled CIA operative in the world. It got me wondering: how does someone become the best at what they do? Is being a top CIA agent a result of hard work, natural talent, or is there another factor at play?
Let’s start by looking at athletic ability. In sports research studies, scientists have taken groups of people and subjected them to the same training regime to see their results. Even though they all did the same work, everyone saw different levels of improvement. Interestingly, individuals who were related by blood showed similar improvement, indicating that genetics play a role in athletic potential. If your parents or siblings saw amazing results, chances are you might too. These individuals were deemed high responders, and statistical analysis estimates that around 50% of athletic improvement is linked to genetics.
Good athletes often have trainable genes, but studies also found that individuals have different baseline abilities. Without any training, some people were simply more fit than others, which was also linked to genetics. For example, in cardio, certain genes may code for larger blood volumes, giving an early advantage. When it comes to muscle growth, a protein called myostatin strictly controls muscle size. Some people naturally have lower myostatin levels, allowing for greater muscle growth.
This highlights the significant role of genetics in determining one’s potential for skill acquisition. Chances are, our best athletes have both a high baseline and high trainability, along with a strong work ethic. However, there are likely just as many, if not more, people putting in the same amount of hard work who will never see the same extraordinary results. They can still improve and even become great, but their chances of being the best are much lower.
Your circumstances can matter just as much as your innate abilities. For instance, consider SAT scores at an average U.S. college, which are out of 800. Those with the highest SAT scores represent over 50% of the graduates, while those with the lowest scores represent around 18%. At a top school like Harvard, students with the lowest SAT scores are still smarter than the best students at an average school, yet their graduation rates are similar. This phenomenon is known as the “big fish, little pond” effect. Essentially, we compare ourselves not globally, but to our immediate peers.
This comparison can affect feelings of inadequacy, even among those who are exceptionally talented. A study on publications produced by economists in their first six years after graduation showed that top students in the 99th percentile were producing a significant amount of publications, while those in the 75th percentile, still among the best, published very little. In contrast, the best students from the 30 worst schools published more than those in the top quarter of the best schools. Clearly, your surroundings and peers matter, and they can dictate how valuable your hard work is.
This brings us to the concept of time. Do super talented people put in more hours of practice or work? Not necessarily. Their developmental paths may surprise you. Elite athletes typically devote less time early on to deliberate practice in their eventual area of expertise. This pattern holds true across various fields.
It turns out that top performers often go through a “sampling period” in their youth. Instead of specializing early, they try a breadth of activities—multiple sports, instruments, or fields of study. Only later do they narrow their focus and increase structured practice in one area. This approach allows them to explore their abilities and discover what they enjoy.
Studies on musicians show that the amount of practice is not a good indicator of exceptional talent. The best students often come from less musically active families and are less likely to have an instrument at home. Those deemed exceptional often distributed their efforts across multiple instruments before focusing on one. Interestingly, Nobel Prize winners are much more likely to have participated in various performing arts, suggesting that diverse experiences contribute to their success.
So, what does this say about hard work? While it plays a role in every expert’s path, it is not the main factor for extreme success. The timing and context of that hard work are crucial, and there is no direct correlation in skill acquisition, except in very simple tasks.
Ultimately, it’s never too late to find something you love and have a natural ability for, and to put effort into that. If you are already skilled at something, it may help to have humility and recognize the role of luck in your genetics, circumstances, and exposure to various experiences.
This video idea was inspired by Netflix’s new movie “The Gray Man,” which follows a skilled CIA operative who becomes the target of a global manhunt. It’s an action-packed film starring Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans. Be sure to check it out!
Thanks again to Netflix for sponsoring this episode. If you liked it, give it a thumbs up, subscribe, and we’ll see you next time for another science video!
Success – The achievement of a desired goal or outcome, often measured by personal or societal standards. – In psychology, success is often linked to intrinsic motivation and the fulfillment of personal goals, rather than external validation.
Hard Work – The consistent and diligent effort put into achieving a task or goal, often seen as a key factor in personal and professional development. – Research in psychology suggests that hard work, combined with strategic planning, significantly enhances the likelihood of achieving success.
Genetics – The study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics, which can influence behavior, personality, and mental health. – While genetics play a role in determining certain psychological traits, environmental factors also significantly shape an individual’s development.
Environment – The external conditions, influences, and contexts that affect an individual’s development and behavior. – A supportive environment can foster resilience and positive mental health outcomes, even in the face of genetic predispositions.
Peers – Individuals of similar age or status who can influence one’s attitudes, behaviors, and development through social interaction. – Peer influence is a critical factor in adolescent development, impacting everything from academic performance to social behaviors.
Experiences – Events or occurrences that leave an impression on an individual, contributing to their knowledge, skills, and personal growth. – Diverse experiences can enhance critical thinking skills by exposing individuals to different perspectives and problem-solving strategies.
Critical Thinking – The ability to analyze information objectively and make a reasoned judgment, essential for problem-solving and decision-making. – University courses often emphasize critical thinking to prepare students for complex real-world challenges.
Talent – A natural aptitude or skill that can be developed through practice and dedication. – While talent can provide an initial advantage, sustained success typically requires continuous effort and learning.
Potential – The inherent capacity for growth, development, or future success, often requiring nurturing and opportunity to be realized. – Identifying and cultivating potential in students is a key goal of educational psychology.
Dedication – The commitment to a task or purpose, often involving perseverance and sustained effort over time. – Dedication to personal goals can lead to significant achievements, even in the face of obstacles or setbacks.
