What does it take to achieve mastery in something?

There are some who claim that it takes 10,000 hours of practice with something before a person can achieve a certain level of mastery or expertise with a given thing. This idea and concept is known as the 10,000 hour rule.

This idea was first put forth in Malcolm Gladwell's book, "Outliers: The Story of Success". 

The idea came about as a result of research done on musicians to begin with, that to become an expert, or a master of a particular instrument, requires 10,000 hours of practice. The research was done by a scientist named Anders Ericcson, using violin students at a school in Berlin. 

Gladwell took it several steps further, concluding that the Beatles, Bill Gates, and others managed to put in at least 10,000 hours of their respective craft, enabling them to achieve mastery in that craft. Many have concluded as a result of these claims that all they have to do is put in 10,000 hours on something and they'll be an expert. Unfortunately, the 10,000 hour rule is at best a generalization, because it doesn't take into account a very important aspect of practice.

How effective was that hour in which you spent practicing?

Not all practice is created equal.

So while 10,000 hours might not be an exact amount of time it takes to become a master at something, in principle, we recognize that it takes work. It's hard to become an accidental expert or master of something.

There is something that is incredible about someone who is a master at what they do. Whether that is watching an accomplished musician, whether it is viewing the art of someone who can masterfully capture the visual essence of a scene, whether it is an athlete at the peak of their physical condition, and is a master of their respective sport. Someone in that place makes it look easy. It is anything but, but they make it look that way.

Watching them work is a delight.

I came across a video a number of years ago that I showed to my students every year. We talked about the importance of caring about the things that you place your focus upon. That you don't just desire to do it halfway, but that you desire to become a master of the things which you love, that if you truly desire to do it, learn to do it well. 

The video can be found here, and it illustrates the skill and artistry of Master Penman, Jake Weidman. Jake is one of 12 master penman in the world, the youngest of the 12, and has worked incredibly hard to make his skills on another level.

How did he get to this point? Hard work, lots of practice, a lot of mistakes, and a willingness to never settle for mediocrity.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 states that, "Whatever our hand finds to do, do it with all your might." and it concludes - "because there is no work, device, knowledge or wisdom in the grave where we are headed."

Are we striving to become a master in our knowledge and application of the Word of God? Not just knowing it, but knowing it at a level that enables us to discern with Godly wisdom the course of action that God desires from us based upon His word? Or have we attained a certain level of understanding and application and said, "Good enough."

Do we build our relationship with God purposefully and with urgency, and desire to have the strongest relationship that we can? Are we 'doing it with all our might'? Or again, have we said, "It's good enough."

Our relationship and covenant with God is the most important relationship in our lives. Do we consider it as such? Do we put it above all else recognizing that all of our other relationships will follow?

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. For there is no work, or device, knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are headed.