[nvilcins]

I think the problem is that people interpret the "do anything" part as "become #1 at anything" (i.e., "prodigy" as per the parent post).

I would say something like "get to the 80th percentile at anything" (or even 95th) would be much more accurate, though, that doesn't sound as catchy. Heck, in many areas you don't even need to work _that_ much or hard to get to the top 20% or so, it's just a matter of a reasonably informed and structured approach, exercised over time.

[The_Colonel]

> I would say something like "get to the 80th percentile at anything" (or even 95th) would be much more accurate, though, that doesn't sound as catchy.

In many areas (sport, art etc.) being in the 80th or even 95th percentile means failure.

[lovecg]

Obligatory Dan Luu reference on how 95th percentile of anything is not that impressive https://danluu.com/p95-skill/

[WJW]

The article mentions that chess GM level is probably more like 99.9th percentile. At that level you need to be both very talented and practice very hard.