It is quite probable that you have heard that to learn how to be an expert in something, it is necessary to practice at least 10,000 hours. The “culprit” is the Swedish psychologist, K. Anders Ericsson and the study of him.
Surely it took Rafael Nadal more than 10,000 hours to become #1 in the ATP ranking; It already took Messi more than 10,000 hours behind a ball to become the star he is today.
Also read: How to learn faster with these 6 extraordinary tips.
But is it that everyone who practices something for 10,000 hours can become the best in their field? It is very likely not.
Robert Greene, author of the bestseller 48 laws of power, studied the lives of different masters in their fields such as Charles Darwin, Leonardo da Vinci, Albert Einstein and Silicon Valley leaders, among others.
The experience of these legends demonstrates how to reach the highest levels of excellence in any activity.
Do you want to know how to be an expert? Greene summarized his research in the book entitled Mastery. Let’s see what it can teach us…
How to be an expert.
1. Learn to learn.
The first thing we must be clear about is how to learn. And to do so we must know the following steps.
- Deep observation:
- Study how it works.
- Analyze how the best do it.
- Develop your skill: Practice, practice and practice (this is where the research of K. Anders Ericsson comes into play).
- Print your stamp: Everything learned will allow you to forge the bases on which you will adapt the knowledge and you will be able to play with it to reach your own conclusions and develop something unique.
Always remember that the bases of everything are already invented; so you will optimize your time if you use the indicated strategies to learn faster.
Aside from knowing how to learn, you should also keep the following in mind.
2. Choose very well what you want to learn.
It is only logical that if you dedicate yourself to learning something that you want to do, you will have the necessary motivation to give more than 100%.
If you are forced to learn how being an expert at something doesn’t “meet your expectations”, you will have to find external motivations; but you will hardly be able to keep them long enough to achieve it.
You should also keep in mind that it is better not to tell everyone how much you are learning and the goals you have; since it can be counterproductive. Here you will know why.
3. Awaken your dimensional mind.
When you were a child there were no limits (original mind). Then you grew up, improved your skills and gained experience; you were filled with “reality” and all that you thought as a child became a utopia (conventional mind).
For Greene, the secret is to merge the original mind with the conventional mind. In this way we awaken our dimension mind; which brings together experience with the ability to NOT put up barriers regarding our potential.
4. Listen to your instincts.
Have you been in a situation where you think you should do something but everyone tells you no? It is very possible yes.
Each of us has a point of view based on experiences and knowledge. That is precisely why you should follow your instincts. If you’ve spent enough time honing your skills, chances are you’ll see things that others don’t; so if you think you should take a risk, DON’T HESITATE.
Taking the risk of finding new things will allow you to continue learning.
Conclusion.
Learning is an arduous and extensive process, but if you have a plan to learn faster, have the right motivations, prepare your mind to take on the challenge, and listen to your inner voice; surely you will learn how to be an expert.
I hope this information is of great help to you. Many successes!
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