The Talent Code: Chapter 2

The Deep Practice Cell

Chapter Summary

Myelin is an important factor in all human functions. Myelin insulation is when myelin thickens around nerve fibers, allowing them to move faster. The more you practice a skill, especially in deep practice, the more myelin will build around the nerve fibers used for that skill and therefore increase your abilities in that activity.  It is not muscle memory that develops through practicing; it is myelin thickening which allows brains signals to travel more quickly to tell your muscles how to move. Myelin insulation occurs for any skill you are trying to develop. Certain types of myelin are not specific to certain skills. Myelin does not go away after it thickens. If you want the affects of a certain habit to go away, you have to build more myelin on different nerve fibers to counteract. Anders Ericsson tested a theory which stated that a person could only remember seven digits at a time with their short term memory.  When one of his volunteers for the study was able to remember more than 100 digits, Ericsson began to prove that short term memory doesn't have a limit. This lead him to also test whether other skills could be limitless as well.

Key Concept

Myelin is very related to skill. The more you practice a skill, the more myelin builds around nerve fibers that carry brain signals for that skill. This myelin insulation increases the speed and efficiency of the nerve fibers, consequently increasing the speed and efficiency in your skill development.

Key Terms

Myelination
Ten-Year, Ten-Thousand-Hour Rule

Making Connections

I need to remember that I can always develop my singing more. There is no limit I can reach and then be done.

I need to remember that the incredible artist singers today did not just become who they are by chance. They worked extremely hard and spent many years perfecting their singing abilities.