10,000 hours
I first heard the concept of 10,000 hours while listening to Michael McAlister’s Infinite Smile podcasts. A quick one line summation would be that one can achieve enlightenment after 10,000 hours of practice. More recently while listening to the Dave Ramsey Show, Dave delivered what seemed to be an unscripted monolouge about becoming an expert in whatever you choose within a year. This concept was basically if you choose to turn off the television and dedicate your spare time to learning, reading and doing activity fits with your topic, you could become a leading expert in many different fields within a year or so. How many books could you read? I have heard what Dave said before but it never really resonated until I heard him talk about it.
Now this morning I am listening to Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak’s No Agenda show and John is talking about the 10,000 hour concept too. I actually pressed pause to come write this because it seems like all signs are pointing me to becoming an expert. (If you believe in things of that sort.) Since hearing Dave talk about it a week or so ago, I have been trying to choose a something. As usual with me, I am having a difficult time narrowing my choices down.
So I have been reading over some of my old goal lists that I have kept for most of my adult life. One thing I keep coming to is within a year becoming healthy enough to run a marathon (and run it of course.) But I wonder if I can make myself stick to it. That would be a serious achievement if I could. I have also been thinking about becoming more of an expert in one of my hobbies or interests; Photography, alternative energy, something in the technolgy space, world affairs, politics, marketing… Well lets just say I have a lot of different interests. Hopefully in the next week or so I can pick one.
Have you decided what to become an expert in yet?
I’ve been thinking along the same lines. I have a problem during my spare time that I jump from subject to subject. I also have a lot of different interests. I never really seem to be able to focus on one thing and stick with it. I consider it a flaw and a strength. I really would like to though. Being an expert in something sounds like something I’d really like to be.
I think it is a flaw and a strength too. The way I have been dealing with it is to try and find an consistent underlying theme.
So far this year I have been absorbing as much as I can, and doing as much as I can, in the personal development realm. I am trying to be the person I want to be and throwing off the excuses. One key for me has been to share this with a select group of people who will support me, encourage me and will kick my butt when I need it too.