When looking at a group of talented people, what separates the good from the great is how long and how intently they practice. On AVERAGE, in order to reach the level of proficiency that may rival that of a professional, 10,000 hours of work is where it’s at.
Talent + practice = achievement
Put in the time
Keep practicing
Want exceptional performance?
Practice something you love (and have innate talent in) for 10,000 hours.
Do the work.
The more hours you practice, the smaller the role that innate talent seems to play.
PS- Some use their time so efficiently they don’t need as many hours.
💌
I remember when I first found out about the 10,000 hour rule from Malcolm Gladwell in 2011. I was dabbling with Ashtanga Yoga, all the while Instagram was starting to take off in our community. I decided to use digital platforms as a way to document how my practice, mood, and thoughts were evolving and changing.
I had just finished my Ph.D. at Virginia Tech and was used to working for hours on end immersed in study, pattern recognition, and critical thinking.
I knew I was talented.
I know I have an unparalleled work ethic that borders on obsession.
At the time, I wasn’t happy with my bullshit corporate job so I made myself a promise: I would stay for a year MAX and save money so I could move to Cali, pay 6 months rent, and figure out my life.
Until then, I found a yoga studio that opened at 6am. I was there every single morning until 8:30am, went to work 9-7, and was back at the studio 7:30-10pm. I did this 5 days a week. I would also practice double headers on the weekends.
I knew what I was doing.
Numbers work for me.
Training and documenting patterns is my jam.
I didn’t know where these hours would take me, but I knew I lived for these 31+ hours/ week (6.5 year mastery timeline).
These extended practices were significantly shifting my internal environment and my ability to acknowledge visceral feelings, establish homeostasis, rid myself of toxic relationships, and actualize my potential.
I was starting to know myself on a whole nother level.
I know my limits, when to push, and when to step back.
I realize how malleable, porous, and resilient I am.
I have deepened along an intuitive path that is not linear.
I have no idea where this is taking me, I just know I'm down for the ride.
I’m down to keep training, writing, connecting, and teaching.
I’m down to document this road trip with no destination.