When the theory proposed by a Swedish Psychologist and later reiterated by Malcolm Gladwell was first thought up as a concept, I think it’s impossible to note just how much of an impact it would make. The theory states that exceptional expertise in a practice requires at least ten thousand hours of effort and strain, aptly it’s called the 10,000 Hour Rule. This is shown by the ten thousand hours of work that the Beatles, Bill Gates, Muhammad Ali, Jimmy Hendrix, Bruce Lee and many other masters of their arts attained before being able to reach true mastery of their skillset.
Today, popular blog Brain’s Idea indicates that the 10,000 Hour Rule does not exist and is nothing more than a fairy tale, so to speak. Authors of a study undertook the largest survey of literature to date and through a compilation of the resorts of 88 scientific articles representing 11,000 research participants, they found that practice explains only 12% of mastering a skillset. Other factors, such as intelligence, aptitude, grit, patience and passion have a much larger bearing.
However, by this time it’s become pretty much accepted into the lore of many. Indeed, employers use and abuse it, musicians sing its praises and fighters swear by it. However, as far as this writer is concerned, your passion is all that matters.
Do you agree that passion can carry an individual to mastery of a skillset? If you’re passionate about teaching then maybe you can be the next grand master too! Check out our jobs board today!