Have you heard or read books by Malcom Gladwell and others who assert that it takes 10,000 hours to become good at a new skill, like writing?
Whoa. That’s over 400 days of studying. I cannot even imagine deciding to do that.
Good news, writers. The newest research gives hope to those of us who want to write in a new-to-us or different genre and learn quickly. Josh Kaufman, author of “The Personal MBA,” says that the 10,000-hour idea is baloney. I like Josh.
He says one can get a good handle on a new set of skills in as little as 45 minutes a day for just one month. Again, I like Josh. He asserts that too many believe in the 10,000-hour myth and think, “Gosh, why bother?”
Instead he encourages a path to learning that includes:
- Deconstruct the skill. Decide what you actually want to be able to do.
- Learn enough to self-correct. Learn just enough that you can actually tell when you’re making a mistake.
- Remove practice barriers: i.e. remove distractions, yes, like you, Internet.
- Practice at least 20 hours. Finally, yep, practice for 20 hours.
So, here’s the deal so you can break it all down. Write for 45 minutes each day for just a month, 22 ½ minutes each day for two months or possibly 15 minutes a day for three months.
I’m not certain that the final 15-minute practice time will work, but whatever do have you to lose? Besides, 15 minutes are doable even for the most jammed packed, COVID-19 current life. The point is to sit down and write.
Here’s another article on how to become better at what you want by Joshua Burkhart and he actually has five steps to success. You can read it at: https://medium.com/the-ascent/skill-mastery-in-five-steps-ad2e648952bf
The one I found the most enlightening was to not push so hard that frustration cripples you. Stop. Take a break. Mr. Burkhart explains learning is a chemical process and takes focus. He says, “Norepinephrine, Acetylcholine, Dopamine and Serotonin are all used for attention. You only have so much in the way of these neurotransmitters. When you use them faster than they replenish you become less focused. If you press yourself too far, you’ll lose focus and get frustrated, creating resentment in the field you’re working in.”
What’s the take away? It’s time for action. It’s time to practice. Every writer was once an emerging writer. Every writer had and may still have doubts. It takes courage to be a writer but if it’s in your heart and head, then carve out at least 15 minutes a day.
