The first 20 hours -- how to learn anything | Josh Kaufman | TEDxCSU

Josh Kaufman · TEDx Talks

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Abstract

The speaker discusses how becoming a parent changed their life and priorities, and how they wanted to continue learning new things despite having less free time. They researched the concept of the 10,000 hour rule, which suggests that it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert at something. However, they found that this rule is often misinterpreted and that it actually takes around 20 hours of focused practice to become reasonably good at a new skill. The speaker then shares their own experience of learning to play the ukulele in just 20 hours, using a method that involves deconstructing the skill, learning enough to self-correct, removing barriers to practice, and practicing for at least 20 hours. They conclude that the major barrier to learning something new is emotional, not intellectual, and that with dedication and practice, anyone can learn a new skill in a short amount of time.

Key terms

10,000 hour rule, Deliberate practice, Learning curve, Frustration barrier, Deconstructing a skill, Self-correction, Removing barriers to practice, Ukulele, Axis of Awesome, Emotional barrier, Intellectual barrier

Main Topics

Introduction to the 10,000 hour rule

The origin of the 10,000 hour rule

The 10,000 hour rule was first proposed by K. Anders Ericsson, a professor at Florida State University.
Ericsson studied expert-level performance in various fields, including music, sports, and chess.
He found that the amount of time spent practicing was a key factor in achieving expertise.
The 10,000 hour rule is often misinterpreted to mean that it takes 10,000 hours to become good at something, rather than to reach the top of an ultra-competitive field.

The limitations of the 10,000 hour rule

The 10,000 hour rule only applies to ultra-competitive fields, such as professional sports or music.
It does not apply to everyday skills or hobbies.
The rule is often misinterpreted or exaggerated, leading to unrealistic expectations about the amount of time required to become proficient at a new skill.

The importance of deliberate practice

What is deliberate practice?

Deliberate practice involves focused and intentional effort to improve a specific skill or skill set.
It requires a clear goal, a plan for achieving that goal, and a willingness to put in the time and effort required to improve.
Deliberate practice is essential for making progress and achieving expertise in any field.

The benefits of deliberate practice

Deliberate practice leads to faster improvement and greater proficiency.
It helps to build confidence and motivation.
Deliberate practice can be applied to any skill or activity, from music to sports to cooking.

The learning curve and frustration barrier

The learning curve

The learning curve is a graphical representation of the relationship between practice time and performance improvement.
The curve shows that improvement is rapid at first, but slows down as time goes on.
The learning curve can be affected by factors such as the difficulty of the task, the quality of instruction, and the individual's prior experience and motivation.

The frustration barrier

The frustration barrier refers to the initial feeling of frustration and incompetence that people often experience when learning a new skill.
This barrier can be overcome with dedication and practice.
The frustration barrier is a common obstacle that can prevent people from continuing to practice and improve.

Deconstructing a skill and self-correction

Deconstructing a skill

Deconstructing a skill involves breaking down a complex skill into smaller, more manageable parts.
This allows for more focused and efficient practice.
Deconstructing a skill can help to identify areas that need improvement and provide a clear plan for practice.

Self-correction

Self-correction involves the ability to identify and correct one's own mistakes while practicing a new skill.
Self-correction is essential for making progress and improving performance.
Self-correction can be developed through practice, feedback, and reflection.

Removing barriers to practice and the importance of dedication

Removing barriers to practice

Removing barriers to practice involves eliminating distractions and obstacles that prevent or hinder practice.
This can include finding a quiet space to work, turning off the TV, or avoiding procrastination.
Removing barriers to practice is essential for making progress and improving performance.

The importance of dedication

Dedication is essential for making progress and improving performance.
Dedication involves a willingness to put in the time and effort required to improve.
Dedication can be developed through setting clear goals, creating a practice schedule, and tracking progress.

The speaker's experience learning to play the ukulele

The speaker's goals and motivations

The speaker wanted to learn to play the ukulele in just 20 hours.
The speaker was motivated by a desire to learn something new and to challenge themselves.
The speaker's goals and motivations helped to drive their practice and improvement.

The speaker's practice and progress

The speaker practiced for 20 hours, using a combination of online resources and self-directed practice.
The speaker made rapid progress, learning to play simple chords and songs.
The speaker's practice and progress demonstrate the effectiveness of deliberate practice and dedication.

The emotional barrier to learning

The emotional barrier

The emotional barrier refers to the fear or anxiety that people often experience when learning something new.
This barrier can prevent people from starting or continuing to practice.
The emotional barrier is a common obstacle that can be overcome with dedication and practice.

Overcoming the emotional barrier

Overcoming the emotional barrier involves developing a growth mindset and a willingness to take risks.
It requires a focus on progress, not perfection.
Overcoming the emotional barrier can help to build confidence and motivation, leading to greater success and enjoyment in learning.

Conclusion and final thoughts

The importance of practice and dedication

Practice and dedication are essential for making progress and improving performance.
The amount of time required to become proficient at a new skill is often less than people think.
With dedication and practice, anyone can learn a new skill and achieve their goals.

The value of learning and self-improvement

Learning and self-improvement are essential for personal growth and development.
They can help to build confidence, motivation, and a sense of purpose.
The value of learning and self-improvement extends beyond the skill or activity itself, to other areas of life and relationships.

Key terms

10,000 hour rule

A concept that suggests it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert at something. However, this rule is often misinterpreted and actually refers to the amount of time it takes to reach the top of an ultra-competitive field.

Deliberate practice

A type of practice that involves focused and intentional effort to improve a specific skill or skill set.

Learning curve

A graphical representation of the relationship between practice time and performance improvement. The learning curve shows that improvement is rapid at first, but slows down as time goes on.

Frustration barrier

The initial feeling of frustration and incompetence that people often experience when learning a new skill. This barrier can be overcome with dedication and practice.

Deconstructing a skill

Breaking down a complex skill into smaller, more manageable parts in order to practice and improve each component.

Self-correction

The ability to identify and correct one's own mistakes while practicing a new skill.

Removing barriers to practice

Eliminating distractions and obstacles that prevent or hinder practice, such as turning off the TV or finding a quiet space to work.

Ukulele

A small, four-stringed musical instrument that is often used to play simple chords and melodies.

Axis of Awesome

A musical group that created a medley of pop songs using only four chords: G, D, Em, and C.

Emotional barrier

The fear or anxiety that people often experience when learning something new, which can prevent them from starting or continuing to practice.

Intellectual barrier

The idea that learning something new requires a high level of intelligence or cognitive ability. However, the speaker argues that the major barrier to learning is emotional, not intellectual.

Quiz

Question

What is the 10,000 hour rule, and how is it often misinterpreted?

Answer

The 10,000 hour rule suggests that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert at something. However, this rule is often misinterpreted to mean that it takes 10,000 hours to become good at something, rather than to reach the top of an ultra-competitive field.