If you have any kind of hobby, you’ve probably come across the idea that 10,000 hours of practice can make you an expert. 10,000 hours sounds like a long time, and this amount of practice will obviously accelerate your learning process, but does practice supersede talent? Is it true that we can excel at anything if we practice enough?
The book that popularised the concept of 10,000 hours practice was written by Malcolm Gladwell, based on research by Anders Ericsson. The idea became popular all over the world, but a closer look at the original research suggests that there may be more to it than simply clocking up the hours.
In his work, for instance, Gladwell doesn’t distinguish between types of practice but this is a key element in achieving your goals. For instance, practice with an experienced mentor is likely to contribute much more to skill development and progress than practice alone, without guidance.
Further studies have suggested that age and genetics also play a part in the ability to become an expert in any discipline, but practice remains an important factor.
My top tips to make your practice count are:
- Set goals. If you are approaching practice with a vague hope of improvement, you are less likely to see results than if you are setting realistic, achievable goals. For instance, perfecting a favourite song, section by section.
- Motivate yourself. You can inspire yourself to greater things by finding things that motivate you to keep going. Your progress is its own reward but it can help to gift yourself a new piece of kit or a ticket to see an artist you love when you achieve your goal.
- Work with others. Collaborating with others can be inspiring, whether you are a beginner or a professional. Get together with a friend to learn a new skill or plan a shared performance with a local group to ensure your hobby retains the element of fun.
And of course, the most important thing is to enjoy your practice - remember that this is a labour of love and the point is to have a great time!
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