I just wrapped Malcolm Gladwell's newest book called Outliers. Randomly found it in the airport a few weeks ago on my way to Mexico. I plowed through it pretty fast as it was pretty interesting. I haven't read a full book in quite some time because I've been so busy. Needless to say it was a great book about why successful people are successful. Chase Jarvis posted a on this subject after he heard Malcolm speak at an ASMP event, which is a great post. Malcolm's case and point is that success is due to hard work, opportunity, and timing.
The section in his book "The 10,000 Rule" is pretty interesting as it just makes so much sense. Malcolm's idea is that typically when you dedicate 10,000 hours to your craft, is when you start to become proficient at it. Being successful comes down to opportunity, 10,000 hours of practice time, hard work, and talent. A lot of the rich successful people today such as Bill Gates, got started on their 10,000 hours when they were very young and have had the time to grow.
As I thought about this, a lot of the successful photographers that I've talked to lately have hit their tipping point at around the 5-6 year mark. If you break this down, that's working full time (40 hours per week) and that comes out to roughly 10,000 hours. This is just the breaking point of becoming , like a "coming of age" so to speak, and really is the beginning of your career. The reality is, is that it's a lot more than 40 hours a week. Especially when there are so many more things involved to this business that just shooting that require practice.
When it comes down to it, it's hard work and is a majority of what got me to where I am today(just to the beginning of my tipping point). The biggest thing I've learned is that it's an artistic journey, something that is only developed over time which can't be rushed. As I look back, it's been long hours of hard work. It doesn't necessarily seem like hard work, or even work because I love what I do, but regardless, it's hard work. The more you click and practice your skills, the more you develop.
Chase and I just had a conversation about this over breakfast recently, and talked about the bottom line and how some people are willing to put in the time and some aren't. That's the difference between success and not.
Moral of the story: It takes 10,000 of hard work to START to become successful at what you do.
I'm glad you posted this article as I've thought about this a bunch. At what point does one become successful or consider himself a successful person? This also implies that anyone can be successful if they're willing to devote the hard work to do so. It's encouraging to me when my road to success seems so long and I want to throw in the towel, sell everything, and move to Morocco. So I stick it out, suck it up, and realize that all the training in Calculus or Chemistry is to get me to my great goal and passion. Success is just around the bend. In about 8,000 hours or so. ;)
Posted by: Briana | January 02, 2009 at 02:37 PM
My wife and I just finished reading that book as well. I'm in total agreement with the 10,000 Hours of Hard Work. Now I can only calculate how many hours I've invested so far?!?!?
Regards,
Carl
Posted by: Carl Reid | January 02, 2009 at 04:06 PM
that's pretty awesome... i have been thinking that i lost myself and my dreams, but you opened my eye to a new perspective. i'm not a photographer, but this applies to everyone. we all have to pay our dues to get to where we want to be. i think i'm almost there.
Posted by: D*LSH DESIGN | January 03, 2009 at 12:58 PM
Great post, Nick.
I've been a big fan of Gladwell's for some time. I have purchased "Outliers" and it's in the reading queue. I recall Gladwell briefly mentioning the 10,000 hour idea in one of his other books; The Tipping Point, I believe. It really struck a chord with me at the time as it seemed to make so much sense.
Posted by: Jarrad Kevin | January 03, 2009 at 02:57 PM
It's a lot of work, and just goes to show us that no matter what we do, that's what it takes.
Posted by: Nick Onken | January 04, 2009 at 01:42 PM
Great post!
I believe Rob Haggart's post over at A Photo Editor is talking about a similar thing to the 10,000 hours theory through interviews with Ira Glass available on Youtube: http://www.aphotoeditor.com/2008/12/22/finding-a-decent-story-killing-crap-and-reaching-your-potential/
They key quote is: “People get into creative work because they have great taste… but the first couple years that you’re making stuff what you’re making is not that good… but your taste is good enough that you can tell what you’re making is not good enough, it’s kind of a disappointment to you… a lot of people never get past that phase… they quit.”
So I would say that in addition to taking 10,000 hours to START to become successful, another key factor is DON'T QUIT!
Posted by: Ed Araquel | January 08, 2009 at 04:32 PM
I totally agree with the 10000 hours before you get your grip on the trait. Success come through hard work, determination, goals, master plan and friend who has the same interest who can support you when you are down. Edgar F Robert quoted "Every human mind is a great slumbering power until awaken by a keen desire and a definite resolution to do"
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