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All 16 learnings · one per slide
Peak
Anders Ericsson and Robert Pool, in bytes
16 key learnings on how experts are made through deliberate practice.
16 learnings · ~40 sec eachSwipe →
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Peak, in bytes
16 key learnings from Anders Ericsson's account of the science of expertise and deliberate practice, written with Robert Pool. Each takes about 40 seconds to read. Swipe, use the arrows, or your keyboard.
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Learning 1 · Chapter 1
Steve Faloon's 82 Digits
The story
In an experiment, Steve Faloon started able to remember about seven digits. After two years of practice, he could recall 82.
How
He developed new ways to group and encode numbers.
Takeaway
Practice can stretch abilities far beyond what seems natural.
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Learning 2 · Introduction
Perfect Pitch Can Be Learned
The idea
Perfect pitch was thought to be a gift. A Japanese study trained young children to develop it.
Example
Mozart's famous pitch likely came from intense early training.
Takeaway
Many 'gifts' are trained.
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Learning 3 · Chapter 2
The Adaptable Brain
The idea
The brain and body adapt to challenge.
Example
London taxi drivers who learned 'the Knowledge' showed a larger part of the hippocampus.
Takeaway
Training changes the brain.
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Learning 4 · Chapter 1
Naive Practice
The idea
Doing something repeatedly doesn't make you better once you reach 'acceptable'.
Example
Driving for years without improving.
Spot it
Practice on autopilot.
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Learning 5 · Chapter 1
Purposeful Practice
The idea
Purposeful practice has well-defined goals, focus, feedback and pushes you out of your comfort zone.
Example
Practising a hard passage slowly rather than playing whole pieces.
Try this
Set one specific stretch goal for your next practice.
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Learning 6 · Chapter 4
Deliberate Practice
The idea
Deliberate practice is purposeful practice guided by a teacher in a well-developed field.
Example
Violin students practising with expert feedback.
Takeaway
Find good teachers.
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Learning 7 · Chapter 3
Mental Representations
The idea
Experts build detailed mental models that let them see patterns quickly.
Example
Chess masters recognise board positions at a glance.
Takeaway
Build richer mental models through practice.
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Learning 8 · Chapter 4
The Berlin Violinists
The study
Ericsson's study found the best violin students had practised alone far more than others.
The point
Solitary deliberate practice separated the best from the good.
Takeaway
Hours of focused practice matter.
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Learning 9 · Chapter 4
The 10,000-Hour Rule Is Wrong
The idea
Ericsson says the popular '10,000-hour rule' oversimplified his work.
Why
There's nothing magic about 10,000; the type of practice matters more.
Takeaway
Quality beats quantity of hours.
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Learning 10 · Chapter 6
Franklin's Writing Practice
The story
Benjamin Franklin improved his writing by rewriting articles from The Spectator from memory and comparing.
The lesson
He created his own feedback loops.
Try this
Copy and compare a model of good work.
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Learning 11 · Chapter 5
Top Gun
The story
The US Navy's Top Gun school trained pilots with realistic dogfights and detailed feedback, improving results.
The lesson
Feedback and realistic practice transform performance.
Takeaway
Simulate real challenges.
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Learning 12 · Chapter 5
Experience Isn't Expertise
The idea
Some professionals, like doctors, don't necessarily improve with years of experience.
Why
Without feedback and practice, skills can decline.
Takeaway
Seek feedback to keep improving.
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Learning 13 · Chapter 6
Plateaus
The idea
Progress often stalls. Breaking through needs trying something new or more challenging.
Example
Changing technique to overcome a typing speed plateau.
Try this
Push harder or change approach when you stall.
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Learning 14 · Chapter 8
Talent Myths
The idea
Stories of natural talent often hide years of training.
Example
Tales of Paganini's genius ignore his practice.
Takeaway
Look for the practice behind talent.
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Learning 15
The Polgár Sisters
The story
László Polgár trained his three daughters in chess from early childhood. All became strong players, one the top female player.
The lesson
Deliberate practice can produce experts.
Takeaway
Environment and training matter.
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Learning 16 · Chapter 9
A World of Learners
The idea
Ericsson imagines schools and workplaces built around deliberate practice.
Example
Teaching physics students with practice and feedback rather than lectures.
Takeaway
Anyone can improve with the right practice.
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All 16 learnings complete
That’s all 16 learnings.
Practice makes progress when it's deliberate. What's the edge of your ability today?
Abhay Kumar JaiswalFCA · PMP® · Workday Financeabhayjaiswal.com
Summaries in my own words. Read the book for the full stories.
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Summaries are written in my own words for learning. Read Peak by Anders Ericsson and Robert Pool (2016) for the full stories. More Books in Bytes