ten thousand hours

"... ten thousand hours of practice is required to achieve the level of mastery associated with being a world class expert - in anything..." - Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers.

I suppose if one was to practice something for ten thousand hours, it would be something he/she is passionate about.  The first thing that comes to my mind that I have practiced over ten thousand hours is accounting.  Having worked at a public accounting firm for over five years, that tips me over ten thousand hours.  I feel like I have achieved the level of mastery to a certain extent and I also have to admit that I do enjoy my field of work, most of the time.

However, aside from work, I have a creative side.  I have many many hobbies, but none of which I have committed a significant amount of time to.  I took violin classes for a few years back in grade school and a semester of piano in college, but I never reached the point where I feel comfortable with the instrument.  At times I would think it's because I don't have the "ears", being practically tone death, but I found hope!

"The closer psychologists look at the careers of the gifted, the smaller the role innate talent seems to play and the bigger the role preparation seems to play..." - Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers

So perhaps I could master a musical instrument... I will start working on my ten thousand hours with my electric keyboard, and one day, when I am able to play fluently, I shall reward myself with an acoustic piano.

<3tingtinging