Habit, Skill and The 10,000 Hour Rule

Written by Leigh Martinuzzi

Andres Ericsson has spent a lifetime studying the psychology behind expertise and human performance. He is internationally recognised for his decades of science-backed research addressing how anyone can develop superior skills and mastery within any field. His most recent book is called Peak that highlights why talent is not innate and how experts are made, not born.

If you’re interested, please check out my book reflection here – Peak.

The 10,000-hour rule, popularised by Malcolm Gladwell, is one of Ericsson’s more well-known areas of study. Ericsson himself states that the “10,000-hour rule” is actually not a rule at all. The 10,000-hour rule suggests that by doing any activity repetitively one will master it. The average time to accomplish mastery is 10,000 hours. This is a common misinterpretation. Doing anything repeatedly for a prolonged period will create solid habits, however, skill is developed through deliberate practice. And skill is what makes high performers, masters.

It was bought to my attention in an interview I did with Zach Schonbrun, author of The Performance Cortex, that habit and skill are two very different matters. Listen to my interview with Zach here. Although one could spend thousands of hours doing the same repeated behaviour this doesn’t automatically result in an enhanced skill level. It is easy to assume one would, but that is a common mistake.

According to Ericsson, the idea that engaging in sufficient amounts of practice, regardless of the structure, will result in maximal performance has a long and contested history. In Ericsson’s paper – The Role of Deliberate Practice, he outlines several constraints to deliberate practice. If one desires to maximise their skill they require time and energy; access to teachers, coaches, facilities and training materials; regular effortful activity is required yet not to the state of exhaustion; and noting that practice is not highly motivational. Repetition can be a hard slog.

On that final point, because improvements are often small and unnoticeable in the short-term, motivation is rarely discovered in the early stages of skill mastery. Motivation requires a reward. If one cannot realise that reward they are likely to remain less motivated. This will result in disinterest and an inability to obtain mastery.

In his book, Peak, Ericsson observed that children that later become experts have often been pushed through these challenging times. As adults, independent in our choices, we will often choose the easier or more rewarding paths. It may be why for many of us the roads to mastery are often not sustainable. We give up when things become tough. I think we can all attest to such occurrences in our lives.

Ericsson’s research on Deliberate Practice is considered a special type of practice that is structured and purposeful. It requires a regular practice over a prolonged period of time and needs to have measurable specific goals to improve performance that can be obtained by focused attention and energy. The length of time will depend on the skill and also how well the above constraints are managed and how well the structured practice is acted on. With these things in mind, 10,000 hours is more an ideal or average length of time one must be prepared to input if they wish to become experts within their field. Not a rule!

In Zach Schonbrun book, The Performance Cortex, he highlights how neuroscience is further teaching us how habit is made and skill mastered. It highlights that repetition is essential however the environment, context and circumstances in which skill is practised also play a role.

If for example you repetitively hit a ball against a wall you will become very good at hitting that ball. The idea is to focus on improving your hitting technique not trying to correct failed attempts. If you do this in the same location every time you practice you will be good but maybe less effective at dealing with unknown variables. This is why changing the environment is good.

Unfamiliar environments and uncertainty allow the brain to learn differing variables. When these variables are introduced we are then able to identify them and hopefully attend to them in times of need. If you want to master something quick, like a sport, play against masters. If will force you to learn how to apply the skill you have in demanding or unknown situations.

Habit and skill are different and the path to mastery can be arduous. Understanding how the skill is developed will certainly assist one in improving their process. Practising the same thing for 10,000 hours in unchanging environments will not ensure success. Science is proving there are better ways.

Let me know your thoughts. Please leave your comments and thoughts below.

Further Reading and Resources 

TED Talks: Ideas worth spreading

Psychology Today: Psychology Today is devoted exclusively to everybody’s favourite subject – Ourselves

Life Hack: Tips for Life

Elite Daily: The Voice of Generation Y

Four Hour Work Week: How to escape the 9-5, live anywhere and join the new rich.

The Minimalists: How to pursue a minimalist lifestyle and be happier.

Mind Hacks: Tips and Tricks for Using Your Brain

Rich Roll: Plantpowered Wellness Advocate

The Art of Charm: Build confidence, feel comfortable and networking differently.

American Psychological Association: The largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United State

The Art of Manliness: Encouraging men to be better husbands, fathers, brothers, citizens.

Tiny Buddha: Simple wisdom for complex lives.

Brain Pickings: An inventory of cross-disciplinary interestingness, spanning art, science, design, history, philosophy, and more.

Mind Body Green: Lifestyle media brand dedicated to inspiring you to live your best life.

Zen Habits: Find simplicity and mindfulness in life.

Creative NonFiction: “true stories well told.” 

Addicted 2 Success: Motivation & Inspiration Website full of quotes and inspiring articles for entrepreneurs.

Barking Up the Wrong Tree: science-based answers and expert insight on how to be awesome at life.

The Positivity Blog: Practical articles on happiness, self-esteem, productivity and social skills.