Contact us today!
866-348-2602

Total Tech Care Blog

Total Tech Care has been serving Florida since 2001, providing IT Support such as technical helpdesk support, computer support, and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses.

Does 10,000 Hours of Practice Automatically Make Someone an Expert?

Does 10,000 Hours of Practice Automatically Make Someone an Expert?

You’re already a business owner, but let’s say that you want to pick up some new skills. You want to be known as an expert in a new field, and you’re pretty dedicated to doing so. Perhaps you’re familiar with the 10,000 hours rule, which attempts to explain how someone becomes a master of a particular craft. Well, we hate to burst your bubble, but this rule might not be as simple as it sounds.

What the 10,000 Hour Rule Is

The 10,000 hour rule claims that in order to learn a craft and develop world-class skill, one has to have at least 10,000 hours of experience working with the skill. The original report, published in 1993, found that the most accomplished students at a music academy in Berlin had put in an average of 10,000 hours of practice by the time they turned 20 years old. It seems simple enough, right? You put in plenty of practice and you can possess a world-class skill.

Why it Might Be Wrong
In his new book, Anders Ericsson (who worked on the original report), along with his co-author Robert Pool, attempt to further understand and isolate the science behind the 10,000 hour rule. They came to a number of conclusions concerning the nature of the initial study:

  • There’s nothing special about 10,000 hours: The number 10,000 was chosen specifically because it was a nice, rounded number. Plus, regardless of how skilled they were, the musicians tested were nowhere near their peak, or “world class,” by the time they reached 20 years old. It’s been proven that pianists tend to reach their peak at around 30 years old, so the 10,000 rule isn't quite true.
  • 10,000 was only the average: By proxy, if you put in 10,000 hours of effort, you’ll only be meeting the average skill level of those who are working toward the same goal. Thus, you can’t be considered “world class” at all. Other studies have shown that it can take as many as ten years to reach a goal.
  • Practice isn’t enough: It was found that investing time and practice into a task doesn’t necessarily make you better at it; rather, it’s the quality of the practice that yields results. This “deliberate practice” pushes the practitioner beyond their comfort zone and forces them to up their game.

The Lesson: Practice Makes Perfect, Not Necessarily Time
There are a few lessons that can be learned from the 10,000 hour rule, but none of them actually have anything to do with 10,000 hours of practice specifically. They can still, nonetheless, be very helpful when learning a new skill and applying it to your life.

  • Train the right way: You can dramatically improve your own skills if you’re diligent about it, but only if you approach it in a productive way. For example, a writer who’s trying to develop their skills can’t improve if they write while the television is turned on.
  • Practice, practice, practice: Regardless if you spend 500 hours or 10,000 hours honing a craft, you’ll be improving your skills. After all, practice is the only real way to improve, and regardless of how much time you invest into it, you’ll see results.
  • There’re no limitations: Regardless of where you stand professionally, there’s always room for self-improvement. You can always reach for loftier goals, and once you start working on a skill, keep working at it. You’ll likely see your hard work pay off.

We think it’s safe to say that you can’t become an expert in a craft overnight, and that even successful business owners have skills that they can dramatically improve by focusing on the right things.

 

Comments

No comments made yet. Be the first to submit a comment
Already Registered? Login Here
Guest
Thursday, 24 April 2025
If you'd like to register, please fill in the username, password and name fields.

Blog Archive

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

  • First Name *
  • Last Name *

      Free Consultation

      Sign up today for a
      FREE Network Consultation

      How secure is your IT infrastructure?
      Let us evaluate it for free!

      Sign up Now!

      Free Consultation
       

      Tag Cloud

      Security Tip of the Week Technology Best Practices Business Computing Cloud Privacy Hackers Productivity Hosted Solutions Software Efficiency Network Security Business Google Microsoft Internet Email Malware Backup Workplace Tips Innovation User Tips Data Computer Mobile Devices Hardware IT Services Disaster Recovery Android VoIP communications IT Support Business Continuity Smartphones Communication Miscellaneous Smartphone Mobile Device Browser Small Business Network Productivity Collaboration Cybersecurity Quick Tips Users Business Management Windows Managed IT Services Upgrade Phishing Outsourced IT Data Backup Ransomware Windows 10 Data Recovery Office Server Save Money Cloud Computing Passwords Windows 10 Virtualization Saving Money Holiday Tech Term Social Media Gadgets Chrome Managed Service Automation Managed IT Services Microsoft Office Artificial Intelligence Computers Facebook Operating System Cybercrime Wi-Fi BYOD Mobile Device Management Networking IT Support Internet of Things Hacking Health Remote Spam Information Office 365 Telephone Systems Covid-19 Information Technology Managed Service Provider Alert Bandwidth Router BDR Recovery Employer-Employee Relationship Social Engineering Mobility Password Money Remote Monitoring Mobile Computing Encryption Data Breach Applications Application App History Law Enforcement Big Data Human Resources Remote Computing Data Storage Patch Management Blockchain Apps Mobile Office Paperless Office Office Tips Training Government VPN How To Private Cloud Managed IT Bring Your Own Device Data Management Flexibility Work/Life Balance Mouse Marketing HaaS Vulnerability WiFi Windows 7 Word IT solutions Entertainment Website Budget Servers Google Drive Infrastructure Voice over Internet Protocol Wireless Data Security Avoiding Downtime Gmail Settings Two-factor Authentication Apple Cleaning Social Conferencing User Error Scam Staff Software as a Service Telephone System End of Support Meetings Machine Learning Education Physical Security Connectivity Remote Work USB Vendor Safety Vendor Management HIPAA Sports Risk Management Managed Services Hacker Display Redundancy Keyboard The Internet of Things Lithium-ion battery Employee/Employer Relationship RMM Data Protection Firewall Save Time Virtual Reality Unified Threat Management Content Management Business Technology Computing Infrastructure Computer Accessories Access Control Network Congestion Procurement Going Green eWaste Workplace Strategy Net Neutrality Virtual Assistant Business Intelligence Authentication Help Desk Worker Printing Battery Audit IT Management Printer Shadow IT Bluetooth Legal Wearable Technology Update Retail Hard Drives Botnet Managed Services Provider IT Plan Internet Exlporer Instant Messaging Robot Excel Google Docs Database Unsupported Software PDF Identity Theft Biometrics Virtual Desktop Remote Workers IT Consultant Charger Processor Proactive IT Compliance Humor DDoS OneNote Computer Care Best Practice Augmented Reality Hard Drive Current Events YouTube Fraud SharePoint Telephony Black Market Samsung Remote Worker Customer Service Computing Cryptocurrency Value Environment Document Management Solid State Drive Wireless Technology Electronic Medical Records Fax Server How to Spam Blocking Downtime Comparison CES SaaS Hiring/Firing Digital Signage Data storage Virus Automobile Saving Time User Tip of the week PowerPoint Wire webinar Windows Media Player Evernote Emergency Procedure IaaS Employer Employee Relationship dark theme Travel Maintenance Shopping Professional Services Google Search Public Cloud Monitor Printers Assessment Millennials AI Bloatware IT Infrastructure Managing Stress Windows Server 2008 Bing Smart Office Wireless Charging FinTech Streaming Media Social Network Tablets Tools Reputation Virtual Private Network Cameras Television Tech Support Workforce Entrepreneur Content Investment Employees Employee/Employer Relationships Techology Laptop Cables Windows 365 Shortcut ISP Customers ROI Project Management Nanotechnology Public Computer Telecommuting Video Conferencing Cost Management Audiobook Sales Social Networking Bitcoin Regulations Shortcuts Touchpad Cortana Transportation Digital Signature Rootkit Point of Sale Personal Cryptomining Computer Fan Politics Warranty Advertising Printer Server Supply Chain Management Monitoring Batteries HVAC Workers Google Apps Running Cable Benefits FENG Analysis Notifications Windows 8.1 Digitize Memory Windows Server 2008 R2 Administrator Devices IBM Smart Technology Customer relationships Flash Enterprise Content Management Relocation Accountants Email Best Practices IT Assessment Manufacturing MSP Microchip Software Tips Thought Leadership Supercomputer Credit Cards Computer Tips Managed IT Service Science Sync Video Games Security Cameras Password Management Emails Password Manager Virtual CIO Multi-Factor Security OneDrive Worker Commute Biometric Security Experience Search Engine Twitter Peripheral Distributed Denial of Service Two Factor Authentication Digital Security Cameras Customer Relationship Management Using Data Scalability NIST Netflix Business Mangement Root Cause Analysis Smart Tech Trending Copiers Analyitcs Business Owner 5G Consultant Programming HBO Analytics Addiction Knowledge NarrowBand Amazon Music Quick Tip Ergonomics Skype Search Smartwatch Recycling Best Available Wiring Data loss iPhone Practices Development OLED Virtual Machine WIndows 7 Outlook Cache Leadership Amazon Web Services Antivirus Troubleshooting PCI DSS Criminal 2FA Fiber Optics Windows 8 Start Menu Employee Safe Mode GDPR Screen Mirroring Files Hosted Computing Loyalty IT service Messaging Cabling Hypervisor Frequently Asked Questions Wireless Internet Chromecast Online Shopping Books Policy Dark mode Trend Micro Tablet Mobile File Sharing Windows 10s Camera Cast Colocation Inventory Uninterrupted Power Supply Specifications Domains SMS Default App

      Top Blog

      The reasoning for this is simple: you want to make sure that operations are proceeding as intended, even if you’re not there. If you completely check out from the workplace every time you leave, you could return from your vacation to a complete and total disaster that may have been prevented with y...
      QR-Code