Hard Work & Time: Do They Really Matter?
One of the limiting constructs hindering our progress is the concept of time. We often encounter phrases like “It takes time,” “Be patient,” or “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” which serve as justifications for why not NOW. In his book ‘Outliers’, Malcolm Gladwell states that it takes 10,000 hours to reach the top of an ultra-competitive field. Studies on elite performers, including athletes, musicians, and chess grandmasters, support this notion, indicating that extensive practice is necessary to achieve expertise. That equates to a 5 years full-time job! Isn’t that insane? Why would we need 5 years to be considered experts?? Does this estimation account for all aspects of learning? What about focused, deliberate practice? Is an ‘expert’ defined only through skill mastery, or does experience also play a role? What about the environment they operate in? From here, the question arises: How long does it truly take to become a master and what are the variables that come into play?
As individuals strive to master a skill or broaden their knowledge, they often prioritize the investment of time and effort through hands-on experimentation. This process is integral to gauging one’s proficiency and earning the esteemed title of an ‘expert.’ When observing individuals encountering obstacles or exhibiting impatience in their pursuits, we underscore the significance of hard work as the fundamental key to achieving success. In my opinion, this is total BS. Here is why:
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Environment:
In the confines of an environment where the true essence of one’s worth, talents, and knowledge remains unrecognized, these attributes inevitably shrink. They wither to fit the constraints and stature of that very setting. What happens in such circumstances? Anxiety, depression, and the weight of stress seize control. Suddenly, what once appeared within reach transforms into the impossible. This shift happens not due to lack of skill or will, but rather because the environment fails to empower the emergence of our inherent gifts.
Think of it like a plant. When we try to plant a palm tree in the mountains, we ask ourselves: Why is it not growing? Well, it can’t. Not because it is a bad tree, but because the temperature and altitude prevent it from growing. Moreover, as a flower grows, it inevitably outgrows its initial pot, necessitating a larger space to accommodate its expanding roots. Identically, this is how human beings operate. When in the right environment, the constraints of time dissipate, rendering the concept of hard work irrelevant. Here, our environment facilitates a harmonious flow, seamlessly aligning our skills and efforts to yield unparalleled outcomes. Our environment dictates our outcome. Be intentional in choosing it.
You are the product of your environment. So choose the environment that will best develop you toward your objective — W. Clement Stone
Learning Process:
Often, we underestimate the significance of the learning process in comparison to the duration it takes to acquire knowledge. When we struggle to absorb new information to put it into practice, it is primarily due to our inefficiency in system thinking. This inefficiency often results in information overload, delaying our assimilation process. As a result, we find ourselves requiring additional time to reach a specific goal.
Nevertheless, when we structure and systemize our learning, the acquisition of knowledge becomes a beacon of efficiency. Here are some steps:
Break down the skill:
By deconstructing the skill into smaller pieces, like learning to play the piano, we can master every step of the process. This method facilitates seamless integration of these steps, making the overall process more manageable. Through complete comprehension of each step, we are equipped to access and apply the requisite knowledge efficiently, minimizing the need for prolonged time investment.
Remove Distraction:
A single hour of dedicated, uninterrupted focus holds the equivalent productivity of ten hours of scattered, distracted work. Isolate yourself with only the tools needed to perfect the learning. In that moment, nothing else should matter.
Overcome Frustration Barriers:
We do not like to feel incompetent or stupid. It often acts as a significant obstacle when learning a new skill. Consequently, feeling inadequate acts as a barrier to completing the necessary work. However, by pre-committing to engage in deliberate practice for a minimum of 30 hours — equivalent to one hour per day for a month — we effectively overcome that initial frustration barrier. This commitment ensures that we persist long enough to reap the rewards of our efforts and solidify them into ingrained habits.
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The societal dilemma lies in the prevalent tendency of individuals to accept information without questioning its validity. When we believe ourselves to be knowledgeable on a subject, we often neglect to seek out gaps or errors in our understanding, let alone rectify them. Example? It takes 10,000 hours to master a skill.
This behavior is often driven by our fragile egos, as we strive to portray ourselves in a favorable light and avoid acknowledging our weaknesses. An illustrative example is the hypocritical politician who condemns corruption while turning a blind eye to their own transgressions, influenced by either deliberate ignorance or societal pressures. In numerous domains of our lives, we fail to gain sufficient expertise to question our own beliefs or uncover areas of ignorance. Consequently, we possess just enough knowledge to feel confident in expressing opinions and passing judgments, oblivious to the fact that we’ve climbed to the top of Mount Stupid without making it over to the other side.
Do not listen to people telling you how to go about your goals. Their perspectives are confined by their own limitations. What may appear daunting and time-constrained to one individual could swiftly manifest for you with the appropriate tools and environment in place.
Humility is often misunderstood. It doesn’t signify a lack of self-confidence. Rather, one of its Latin roots, “humilitas,” translates to “from the earth,” implying a grounded perspective that acknowledges our imperfections and fallibility.
Confidence, on the other hand, reflects the extent of belief in oneself. However, research suggests that this is distinct from confidence in one’s methods. You can possess unwavering confidence in your capacity to achieve future goals while maintaining the humility to question whether your current toolkit is adequate. This delicate balance represents the essence of true confidence.
Be confident, create your own path, and tell the story of how you have defied the odds of societal norms and limitations. Hard work and time are irrelevant when you are aligned with your environment.
Whoever said progress was a slow process was not talking about me — 50 Cent