Includes bibliographical references (pages 247- 277) and index.

Prologue: growing roses from concrete -- I. Skills of character: getting better at getting better -- Creatures of discomfort: embracing the unbearable awkwardness of learning -- Human sponges: building the capacity to absorb and adapt -- The imperfectionists: finding the sweet spot between flawed and flawless -- II. Structures for motivation: scaffolding to overcome obstacles -- Transforming the daily grind: infusing passion into practice -- Getting unstuck: the roundabout path to forward progress -- Defying gravity: the art of flying by our bootstraps -- III. Systems of opportunity: opening doors and windows -- Every child gets ahead: designing schools to bring out the best in students -- Mining for gold: unearthing collective intelligence in teams -- Diamonds in the rough: discovering uncut gems in job interviews and college admissions -- Epilogue: going the distance.