<p>What is the general mindset, if at all there is a common one, that leads some people to accomplish unusual and extraordinary feats like scoring 150 on AMC, qualifying for International Mathematics Olympiad, Olympics, USACO Gold, top Intel/Siemens prizes, etc.</p>
<p>Beyond the natural talent and sheer intellectual capacities of these people, is there something, perhaps a psychological mindset, that enables them to do this kind of stuff?</p>
<p>Or am I barking up the wrong tree? Is it really just practicing everything these people can get their hands on?</p>
<p>And then there are those who are not exceptionally bright or knowledgeable like the aforementioned people, but who just do a lot of stuff, and do well enough in each thing to create solid well-rounded profiles? What enables these people to do just a sheer volume of work that in itself is not very difficult but takes continual effort and other personal qualities? These people tend to be the ones with 4.0uw, 2300-2400, maybe some sports, regional competitions, etc. etc. that is so typical of many HYPMS applicants on CC.</p>
<p>If someone could summarize or at least give a basic explanation behind "Outliers", those of us too lazy/busy to go out and buy the book and read it would appreciate it :D</p>
<p>Interesting...i don't know if I believe it. It makes it sound like talent doesn't exist/is irrelevant, that if you work hard, you can do anything. I know that's what they tell us in kindergarten, but i don't know if it's true...in high school, one of my friends was our salutatorian and he was very smart, but didn't study that much at all. Now he goes to an ivy league school and he tells me he has to actually work really hard to get A's. I had an aquaintance who was obsessed with getting good grades and into a good college and tried really hard. She was always pretty average in everything, nothing special. She goes to an average college now...haven't talked to her in a while, but I can guess exactly how she's doing (working her ass off to be a B student). I think innate talent still has a lot to do with things.</p>