Chapter 27: Exercises

Comprehension Check

1. What is grit (Duckworth's definition)? How does it overlap with conscientiousness? 2. Summarize the ego depletion finding and its failure to replicate. Why does this matter for self-improvement advice? 3. What did Ericsson actually say about deliberate practice vs. what Gladwell popularized? 4. How much variance does deliberate practice explain across different domains (Macnamara et al., 2014)? 5. What factors besides effort contribute to success and expertise?

Application

6. Think of a skill you've developed. How many hours of practice did it take? Was the practice "deliberate" (structured, with feedback)? What other factors contributed? 7. Apply the toolkit to: "If you work hard enough, you can achieve anything." 8. Find a self-improvement book or course built on grit, willpower, or the 10,000-hour rule. What claims does it make? How do those claims compare to the meta-analytic evidence? 9. Have you structured your day to "conserve willpower" (important decisions in the morning)? Now that ego depletion hasn't replicated, would you change your routine? 10. Interview someone who is highly skilled in a domain. Ask about the role of practice, talent, instruction, opportunity, and luck in their development.

Critical Thinking

11. If grit is essentially conscientiousness with better marketing, does the rebranding have value (making the concept more accessible) or cost (claiming novelty that doesn't exist)? 12. The 10,000-hour rule is memorable and motivating. Ericsson's actual findings are complex and less inspiring. Is there value in a simplified, motivating version of the truth? 13. The "individual effort" mythology ignores structural factors. But telling people "structural factors determine your success" might reduce motivation. How do you balance accuracy and motivation? 14. Ego depletion failed to replicate, yet millions of people structure their lives around it. Should publishers update or recall self-help books based on debunked findings? 15. The meta-analysis shows practice explains 1% of professional performance. What does this tell you about the limits of "practice makes perfect" for career success?

Fact-Check Portfolio

16. If any of your 10 claims involve effort, practice, willpower, or determinants of success: - Compare the claim to meta-analytic evidence - Note whether structural factors are acknowledged - Update your evidence rating.