The 10000-hour Rule

For those who want to become experts in a field it’s important to know the 10,000-hour rule. Many times we look at successful people with envy and think: "If only I had such a talent, if only I was born there, if only I had been as lucky as her."

The excuses are many for those who are afraid to work for their success. Behind almost every successful person there is a unique story that often involves a lot of hardships and very hard work for several years. Look at some of the best soccer players in the world, such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a real soccer king. Doesn’t it look easy when he’s dribbling past player after player? It seems easy to be Zlatan. Drive a Ferrari, play some ball and eat baguettes in Paris. If we scratch the surface a little (if you get the chance: read his book!) and actually get to know Zlatan, we realize that he’s a man with character, a man who never lets himself be discouraged, although he was always misunderstood and discouraged when he was young.

Zlatan and many other successful people are successful precisely because they never gave up, they continued passionately forward no matter what happened. That’s the reason they have succeeded.

Many writers, scientists, trainers and coaches have tried to find out what it takes to really be successful in one particular field.

Interestingly enough, everyone seem to come to the same conclusion: it takes 10,000 hours of work to become an expert at what you do.

This means that if you spend three hours a day on a task it takes ten years to become an expert. Unfortunately, we live in a world today where everything must happen fast, we want everything now and if we cannot get it, we give up.

With the knowledge that it takes many years to get good at something, you don’t need to be so hard on yourself if it's not going that well in the beginning. Don’t give up, continue forward and learn from your mistakes. If you keep it up long enough, you will eventually become an expert. Did you know that the competition is not as tough at the top? It’s easier to achieve something great than something small. It’s because most people don’t believe in themselves or are not ready to put in the work that is required. So dare to aim big in life and don’t be surprised if you actually succeed. And time will pass anyway, it cannot be stopped, so why not make something good of it?

Do you want to learn more about how you can succeed with your dreams and goals?

Then you should read The Goal Book: How to Achieve Your Dreams and Create a Better Life.