A Review of Daniel Coyle’s, The Sweet Spot from the Talent Code Essay Example

the move. "(pp. 4), the author, proposes that 'deeper practice' is all about "experiences where you’re forced to slow down, make errors, and correct them".

This is what he says makes a person smarter. He also urges that when practicing deeply even miniscule efforts result in profound successes where a failure is converted into a skill. However, the author mentions that deep practice is a “strange concept” (pp. 10) for two main reasons. One that it is against "our intuition about talent" and the other "that it takes events that we normally strive to avoid "namely, mistakes" and turns them into skills. ". This statement is supported by two case studies. The first one is about the success of Link's trainer and the other, the initiation of

Clifford’s Brazilian Soccer School. The Link's trainer "permitted pilots to practice more deeply, to stop, struggle, make errors, and learn from them. " is a clear example where pilots who till then practiced harder now had an opportunity to practice deeply which made all the difference. The Clifford’s Brazilian Soccer School identified, replicated and proved the talent code i. e. futsal as a crucial stepping stone to success in soccer. These case studies take readers from the plane of understanding to the plane of realization.

With his elaborate examples and case studies does Daniel Coyle do justice to linking the concept of sweet spot with talent? The simple exercise is a remarkable attempt to engage readers to ponder over their own talents. Vivid descriptions and imagery through examples does the trick in engaging them till the end. The author does well by effectively threading together

real world situations like using the deeper practice technique to remember names of people one meets in a party. Examples of Soccer rule the chapter. This powerful example is well chosen for its reach considering that it is among the most watched sport.

But his detailed explanations about the game fall short in strength to an audience that cares less, or does not know the game well. In his example, "a friendly climate, a deep passion for soccer, and a genetically diverse population of 190 million, 40 percent of whom are desperately poor and long to escape through “the beautiful game. ”(pp. 6), he uses sufficient statistics to present his point about Brazil being a talent hotbed for soccer players. There is a very thin line between strengths and talents the author could have presented a clear picture to help readers who are left wondering.

While explaining about futsal he stresses this as wiring behind the successes of players of Brazil and supports it with a good case study. However this statement undermines other factors like the efforts of coaches, their methods, and other innovation. More evidences and counter evidences could add balance to his ideas and save his arguments from being more elemental than whole. E. g. Child prodigies who exhibit talents without as much practice but find it hard to sustain in the long run if they fail to work hard and practice.

Overall The Sweet Spot acts as hope to many. His focus on mistakes, failures, stumbling blocks as a key to success is revolutionary in that it tackles the basic foundation of people’s minds that are tuned to

avoid and abhor these very terms. It also acts as a catalyst to effect positive changes in everyday life. His statement "The trick is to choose a goal just beyond your present abilities; to target the struggle. Thrashing blindly doesn’t help. Reaching does. "is the hope he leaves readers with.