This website covers knowledge management, personal effectiveness, theory of constraints, amongst other topics. Opinions expressed here are strictly those of the owner, Jack Vinson, and those of the commenters.

10K hours to develop expertise

Christopher Penn wrote about what it takes to become an expert, in response to a Daniel Levitin claim that it takes 10,000 hours to develop expertise.  Why you need 5 years at a job to be successful.

Consider this: in an economy when the average worker lasts about 2 years in any given job, how many workers have expertise? How many workers have achieved any degree of mastery? 1 in 4 workers at any given company has been there less than a year, according to Department of Labor statistics. 1 in 2 has been with their company less than 5 years.

Interesting thought.  Of course, it isn't just one job that builds expertise - it's the work one does, which Christopher acknowledges.

One element that Christopher also touches upon is the importance of the network of people I know and rely upon for advice, guidance and input.  That network grows and changes as I work.  And if I am changing jobs before that 10,000 hours clicks by, it is my larger world of work and the people who I interact with that help me describe my expertise.  Afterall, if no one thinks I am an expert, how do I establish the claim?

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