BOUNCE by Matthew Syed
Feb 2015 Coaching Book Recommendation
BOUNCE – The Myth of Talent and the Power of Practice by Matthew Syed is about how and why many of our sports people have succeeded. This isn’t just about how hard they’ve worked but in combines the work and research of some my favourite authors, including, Malcolm Gladwell, Dr Steven Peters and Dr Carol Dweck.
Syed is a world class table tennis player and he uses both his own experiences and those of fellow athletes to explore and explain how the combination of hours of practice (10,000 hours) plus purposeful and challenging practise are the key to expertise and success. He explores the ‘phenomenon of child prodigies, and why even the most experienced experts can tank under immense pressure, making us realise we are all human after all, and more importantly, all equal.
And don’t think this book is only for sports people. The principles and explanations held within are applicable to us all in whatever endeavours and areas we want to excel. Whether you dedicate 10,000 hours to something over 3 years, a life time, or even if that many hours isn’t your aim, but learning about the importance of purposeful and challenging practise is your out-take, there is plenty to learn in this easy to read and yet informative book about learning, excelling and succeeding at your life’s purpose.
Click on this link to order your copy of Bounce: The Myth of Talent and the Power of Practice
Happy reading!
Lydia x
BACK OF THE BOOK BLURB
“Can we really ALL be the best? Is the idea of innate ability holding us back? Could the ability to fail – and then get over it – be fundamental to success?
Matthew Syed, best-selling writer and international table-tennis champion (after many hours of practice) takes us on a revelatory exploration of being the best and the true nature of talent. In doing so he debunks any cherished myths – that we can be born brilliant (and that child prodigies prove it); that we are restricted by our genetic make-up; and that social background matters. He also makes some surprising discoveries, including the impact on performance of intense religious belief, why athletes and others ‘choke’ and how a Hungarian man turned his daughters into three of the best chess players in history.
Entertaining, provoking and positive, BOUNCE reveal how we can ALL be exceptional.”