Expertise is what separates amateurs from true masters in almost any field. You might wonder whether experts are "born" or "made". Experts in the field prove that expertise is acquired through dedicated practice, but how exactly do people go about becoming experts?
People who become experts tend to get a body of knowledge that makes them one of the most informed individuals in their field. They also possess the skills that they need to determine when and how to utilize their knowledge. Recently, a popular idea has emerged that the key to becoming an expert is devoting at least 10,000 hours to the study and practice of a subject. In the study, researchers found that the most accomplished violinists at a music academy had spent an average 10,000 hours practicing their instruments. Pop psychology author Malcolm Gladwell coined the phrase "the ten-thousand-hour rule". Gladwell also suggested tech-entrepreneur Bill Gates had devoted 10,000 hours to practicing programming before he created Microsoft.
Anders Ericsson of the University of Florida, who is a world-renowned expert, has studied experts from all walks of life and pointed out the deficiency of "the ten-thousand-hour rule". Ericsson believes that what separates amateurs from experts is what is referred to as deliberate practice. Ordinary practice can help people become skilled at a task, but deliberate practice needs to improve other things, such as your current skill level, setting goals, and receiving training and instruction from a qualified teacher.
While Ericsson believes deliberate practice is the key to becoming an expert, not all researchers agree with his conclusion. Some recent studies have found deliberate practice isn't the only factor that explains the differences between the skilled and the unskilled. While psychologists are not sure exactly which factors might also play a role, personality traits, physical characteristics, and overall intelligence may matter as well.
Practice is essential for developing a skill, but becoming an expert requires constantly challenging yourself to do better, learn more, and acquire new knowledge and skills. Simply practicing the same skills over and over again will make you better in those areas, but it will not lead to true expertise.
