You’ve probably heard that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become a master at something. This idea, popularized by Malcolm Gladwell in his book Outliers. We have seen athletes, artist, scientist, leaders, educationists and many more people who are master at their skill. sounds simple: target 10,000 hours, and you’ll be an expert. But real-life experience tells a different story.

Have you ever realized how much is 10,000 hours? Apparently it looks like indefinite time frame but when I calculated for a person with full time job, I was surprised. If a person have full-time job, working 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, with around 25 days off each year, that person will hit 10,000-hour mark in five years and a few months. Either see yourself with 5 years of experience or look around people having decades of experiences in their skills. How many of them look like master of their skill? I was also analyzing people with 2-3 years of experiences in their skill and sadly it doesn’t look like they are on a road to mastery.

In fact, not all experiences are equal. Repeating the same work year after year doesn’t mean you’re getting experience and on a road to mastery. It’s like they say, “Ten years of experience can either be ten years of growth or one year of experience repeated ten times.” This is especially true in the tech industry, where things change so fast that you can quickly fall behind if you don’t keep up.

Why Just Clocking Hours Isn’t Enough

Just working a lot doesn’t make you an expert. Psychologists like K. Anders Ericsson talk about something called “deliberate practice.” This means constantly challenging yourself, getting feedback, and always trying to improve. If you’re just doing the same tasks over and over without pushing yourself, you’re not going to get better.

The Fast-Changing World of Tech

The tech industry changes rapidly. What was cutting-edge a few years ago might be old news now. If you’re a developer who hasn’t learned anything new in the past five years, you might not be much better than you were when you started. But if you’re always learning new things, experimenting with new tools, and trying out the latest technologies, you’re much more likely to become an expert.

Break the Loop

It’s easy to get stuck in a loop. My bills are being paid, why should I invest money or time in learning something? why should I kill my peace and try something new. Growth isn’t about today, it is preparing for tomorrow. To truly grow, you need to break this loop. Step out of your comfort zone and try new things. Take on projects that challenge you and push your limits. Breaking the loop of repetitive tasks will lead to real learning and growth.

How to Really Master Your Craft

• Keep Learning: Always look for new things to learn. Take courses, read books, and work on new projects.
• Practice With Purpose: Don’t just do your job—try to get better at it. Challenge yourself and ask for feedback.
• Stay Flexible: Keep up with the latest trends and technologies. Don’t get stuck doing the same old thing.
• Connect With Others: Join professional communities, attend meetups, and find mentors. Learn from others and share what you know.

In the end, the 10,000-hour rule is just a guideline. To truly master something, especially in tech, you need to do more than just put in the time. You need to keep learning, stay adaptable, break the loop of repetitive tasks and always strive to improve.