The Talent Code: Unlocking the Secret of Skill in Sports, Art, Music, Math, and Just About Everything Else

Automaticity is a phenomenon in which actions become more automatic through repeated practice. Coyle explains this concept when discussing myelination, pointing out that the more someone develops a skill and myelinates the relevant nerve pathways, the more unconscious that skill becomes.

“Chunking” is a term that describes the psychological phenomenon of grouping multiple pieces of information together and treating them as one unit. Coyle uses the concept to explain the gradual development of talent through breaking down complex skills into smaller parts that are easier to master.

In The Talent Code, deep practice is a targeted and challenging approach to skill development that involves operating at the edge of one’s abilities, making mistakes, and actively correcting them. By embracing difficulties and consistently refining their skills through this process, individuals gradually become more proficient, often without realizing the extent of their improvement.