You couldn't be that good and not know it, somewhere in your secret heart, however much you'd been abused into affecting public humility. [Lois McMaster Bujold]
Despite my dislike for ‘reality’ TV, I do occasionally watch programs like ‘Pop Idol’ and ‘X Factor’ mainly because the family with 2 budding singers in it likes to watch them. Currently ‘American Idol’ is the rage and watching it the other day I was struck by the fact that all the contestants were very good. I mean really good. The fact that a couple of them are quite young got me to thinking about how much of their youth have these young people given away for a dream as unlikely to happen as winning the competition.
In his book, ‘Outliers: The Story of Success’, Malcolm Gladwell, author of “The Tipping Point” and “Blink” , quotes a neurologist as follows: “In study after study, of composers, basketball players, fiction writers, ice-skaters, concert pianists, chess players, master criminals, this number comes up again and again. Ten thousand hours is equivalent to roughly three hours a day, or 20 hours a week, of practice over 10 year. No one has yet found a case in which true world-class expertise was accomplished in less time.”
No-one would claim world class mastery for the contestants on American Idol but some serious practice would appear to be the requisite of making it through to the finals. The point being made by the scientists that Gladwell quotes would seriously be a hindrance to anyone, such as myself, who is considering a career change at such a late stage in their working life. However, it also serves as a warning as to how much work will be required should you decide to take the step. Accepting that means you should make your choice carefully; after all you may have to do it for 3 hours a day for 10 years!
You need to be content to do whatever you are doing otherwise it will seem like an eternity before you are any good.
But sometimes, true mastery and perfection are not a pre-requisite for success, at least short term success. Many of those master musicians mentioned in the book play backing for those of less experience and practice, just ask any ‘career’ session musician. Sometimes flair and originality or stepping outside the box – therefore invalidating everyone’s 10,000 hour experience can make a difference.
Anyway no-body says you can’t be the best without the 10,000 hours of work. You just need to be the one with the most hours anywhere and you can be the best. What is obvious being the best does require work and you will be best only if you are doing something you love.
May you find the balance.
[First published on my Talking2Myself blog on specified date]