Range

Many of us have grown up hearing that the best way to succeed is to pick a field early and practice relentlessly, never swerving from our chosen course. Yet this approach often overlooks the possibility that broader experience may be just as important, if not more. This book opens with examples that upend the typical narrative about starting young and specializing quickly.

Through stories of exceptional achievers, you’ll see that some of the world’s most successful individuals took meandering paths. A late start can lead to no shortage of greatness—think of tennis champion Roger Federer, who tried numerous sports before zeroing in on tennis. His enjoyment of varied activities paved the way for athletic adaptability and longevity.

Rather than a one-size-fits-all formula of ultra-early dedication, this book suggests that experimentation and diversity of experiences can hone our judgment, spark creativity, and help us discover meaningful pursuits. It reminds us that certainty is not always the holy grail if we end up in the wrong niche too soon.

Each page ahead explores a key theme: how range can be your ally rather than an obstacle. You’ll find that the combination of different skills, a willingness to adapt, and the courage to switch paths when needed can open doors you never knew existed.

Society often celebrates prodigies like Tiger Woods, who seemed destined for greatness from infancy, trained intensively, and dominated quickly. This image glamorizes single-minded focus and suggests that if you haven’t specialized early, you’re already behind. However, that story leaves out countless examples of champions who took a wider route.

In fields with repetitive patterns and immediate feedback—like golf or chess—early specialization can indeed work well. The environment is "kind," meaning your mistakes are obvious and incremental improvements come quickly. But in the real world, you'll often face "wicked" problems, where repeated patterns are harder to detect. In those spaces, the narrow approach can limit adaptive thinking.

The book challenges a strict, one-track approach. While no one denies the effort Tiger Woods invested to become a golf legend, the fact that we almost never hear about late starters who also succeeded can distort our understanding of what’s possible. We assume their stories don’t matter, yet they are crucial. Late specialization can provide a broader perspective that fuels breakthroughs.

Hence, when considering the question of whether to begin early and stick to it, broaden your view. The variety of roads to success is bigger than we’ve been led to believe. You might discover that dabbling widely before finding your niche leads to a better outcome—for performance, fulfillment, or both.