This is not about hating on technology!
In order to become aware, to become the best or even become competent, an amount of time has to be spent learning, digesting, growing into the subject or the skill involved. Malcolm Gladwell in his book Outliers: The Story of Success stated that it takes ten thousand hours to be a phenom.
In order to be so freakishly awesome, to be such a standout among your peers, that sometimes your first name is enough to tell people who you are: Peyton. Tiger. Venus. Kobe. Oprah.
My question to you is how many hours does it take to become an expert?
How many hours does it take to become well versed and competent or at least above average in a subject or a skill? Go ahead and write in your thoughts in the comments area.
There are experts out on the motivational speaking circuit who insist that our bar for average has become drastically lowered. The signs which are pointed to are everything from the everyone must win a trophy league in sports or many other competition. Which really means it is not a competition at all!
Another sign you might consider is how news and current events are delivered and digested by most people. Snippets! Small little bits with no meat or depth to the story. Often the actual source of the information is not even included!
Other examples are available – consider going to a mall and entering a store. You want to ask a person a question. Almost every single one of the employees has their head down looking into their smart phone.
Have you had any similar experiences?
What does it take to learn a trade? A plumber, an electrician, or a carpenter? One might consider the amount of apprenticeship hours and licensing where required to be a good measure of what it takes to become competent at a trade.
How about in your industry?
How much time and training is needed to become well versed and competent?
There are parents who are convinced there child will become a professional athlete in some sport. It might be baseball, soccer, football, hockey, golf, tennis or swimming. They spend way too much money on coaches, travel teams, equipment and then going to the games. The wear and tear on the family SUV. The time and effort spent.
Do you know the odds? Less than 1% of the Division One athletes make it to the professional level. This assumes the child will even make it to the Division One Team.
Not trying to be a dream killer. Only pointing out to keep it in perspective.
There are numerous problems to be solved all around the world. In this field the competition is lower. Why not target solving these issues? For example – how many people in how many countries have no fresh water to drink?
Meanwhile, scientists say the level of the ocean is rising. Is there a cost effective solution by combining these two facts into an equation and solving it?
Feel free to pass along this article and post it on your social media channels.
Mitch Tublin leads a boutique consulting firm with a main focus on adding value to individuals, teams, companies and organizations by increasing their communication skills and their ability to actively listen.
