Why 10,000 Hours Might Be Holding You Back (And What to Do Instead)

Why 10,000 Hours Might Be Holding You Back (And What to Do Instead)

If you’ve ever looked into how to become truly great at something, you’ve probably come across the 10,000-hour rule. The idea is simple: put in 10,000 hours of deliberate practice, and you’ll become a master. It’s comforting to think that success is just a numbers game, but in reality, this idea is oversimplified and can actually hold you back.

I’ve spent years diving into how people develop skills, improve performance, and achieve mastery. What I’ve found is that success isn’t just about clocking hours—it’s about how you practice, what you focus on, and whether you’re building a broad set of skills that will serve you in the long run.

The Problem with 10,000 Hours

The 10,000-hour rule originally came from research on violinists at a world-class music academy. The idea was that the best violinists had practiced more than anyone else. But here’s the catch: the study only looked at people who were already at the top of their field. It’s like studying NBA players and concluding that height doesn’t matter because everyone in the NBA is tall. Of course, height matters—it’s just that the study didn’t account for the broader population.

The original research also didn’t report the variance in practice hours. Some people hit 10,000 hours and still weren’t masters, while others got there in far less time. And here’s another key detail: the top-tier violinists in the study were also sleeping an average of 60 hours a week. Maybe it wasn’t just practice—maybe it was rest, too.

The takeaway? The 10,000-hour rule is too rigid. Mastery isn’t just about the number of hours—it’s about how you practice, what you practice, and whether you’re adapting along the way.

The Power of Being a Generalist

Specialization has its place, but being too focused too soon can actually work against you. Many of the most successful athletes, entrepreneurs, and creatives have broad backgrounds that help them think differently and problem-solve in unique ways.

Take Roger Federer, for example. He didn’t specialize in tennis until later in life. As a kid, he played basketball, soccer, and even dabbled in wrestling. This broad base of experiences gave him a unique set of skills that made him a better tennis player in the long run.

This concept is called “match quality”—the fit between your interests, abilities, and the work you do. The best way to find that match isn’t by locking yourself into one thing from the start. It’s by experimenting, trying new things, and being open to change.

Looking at my own journey, I didn’t start out where I am now. I’ve explored different fields, from marketing to coaching to writing. Each experience gave me a unique perspective, and if I had stuck rigidly to my first path, I might never have discovered where I truly thrive.

How to Get Better at Getting Better

So, if 10,000 hours isn’t the answer, what is? One of the most effective approaches is self-regulatory learning—a structured way to continually refine and improve your skills. Here’s how it works:

• Reflect: Identify what you need to work on. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

• Plan: Design an experiment to improve. Maybe it’s taking a class, trying a new project, or seeking feedback.

• Monitor: Track your progress. Are you actually getting better? What’s working and what’s not?

• Evaluate: Analyze the results. What did you learn? What’s next?

This cycle of reflection, planning, monitoring, and evaluation keeps you improving over time. It’s not about grinding away at the same thing—it’s about constant adaptation and growth.

The Myth of Multitasking

Let’s talk about productivity. If you’ve ever tried to juggle a dozen things at once, you know how easy it is to feel “busy” without actually getting anything done.

Research on multitasking shows that every time you switch tasks, your brain leaves behind a little “residue” from the previous task. It’s like trying to write on a whiteboard that hasn’t been fully erased. The more you switch, the harder it is to focus.

If you want to maximize productivity, start your day with your most important task—not your inbox. Avoid distractions by turning off notifications or setting specific times to check your phone. Your brain will thank you.

The Role of Failure in Success

One of the most surprising lessons I’ve learned is that failure isn’t just a stepping stone to success—it’s a necessary part of the process.

A study of 26,000 scientists, artists, and filmmakers found that their best work often came after a period of exploration and experimentation. Failure wasn’t something to be avoided—it was part of the creative process.

For years, I was afraid of failing. I stuck to what I knew and avoided risks. But over time, I realized that the biggest breakthroughs come from stepping outside your comfort zone and learning from mistakes along the way.

The key? Fail forward. Set up low-stakes experiments, learn from them, and keep iterating. The goal isn’t to avoid failure—it’s to use it as a tool for growth.

What This Means for You

So, what’s the big takeaway? Success isn’t about grinding away at one thing for 10,000 hours. It’s about exploring, experimenting, and building a broad base of skills. It’s about being curious, adaptable, and willing to fail.

Here are a few actionable tips to get started:

• Try New Things: Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. You never know what you might discover.

• Focus on Learning: Instead of obsessing over outcomes, focus on the process of learning and improving.

• Embrace Failure: See failure as feedback, not a dead end. Every mistake is an opportunity to grow.

• Minimize Distractions: Protect your focus by setting boundaries around your time and attention.

At the end of the day, success isn’t a straight line. It’s a winding path filled with twists, turns, and unexpected detours. And that’s what makes it so exciting.

So, what are you waiting for? Go out there and start experimenting. Who knows—you might just discover your next big passion.

Inspired by the teachings of David Epstein