They’re also more creative, more agile, and able to make connections their more specialized peers can’t see. Generalists often find their path late, and they juggle many interests rather than focusing on one. He discovered that in most fields-especially those that are complex and unpredictable-generalists, not specialists, are primed to excel. But a closer look at research on the world’s top performers, from professional athletes to Nobel laureates, shows that early specialization is the exception, not the rule.ĭavid Epstein examined the world’s most successful athletes, artists, musicians, inventors, forecasters and scientists. If you dabble or delay, you’ll never catch up to the people who got a head start.

Plenty of experts argue that anyone who wants to develop a skill, play an instrument, or lead their field should start early, focus intensely, and rack up as many hours of deliberate practice as possible.

As experts silo themselves further while computers master more of the skills once reserved for highly focused humans, people who think broadly and embrace diverse experiences and perspectives will increasingly thrive.ABOUT THE BOOK What's the most effective path to success in any domain? It's not what you think. The most impactful inventors cross domains rather than deepening their knowledge in a single area. Frequent quitters end up with the most fulfilling careers. Provocative, rigorous, and engrossing, Range makes a compelling case for actively cultivating inefficiency. He discovered that in most fields–especially those that are complex and unpredictable–generalists, not specialists, are primed to excel. What’s the most effective path to success in any domain? It’s not what you think.

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