Comment by dqdo

The reason that the 10,000 hour does not exist are: (1) different fields require different amount of training and dedication, (2) it is difficult to measure what "mastery" is because it is so hard to quantify, (3) some fields are more competitive than others and therefore requires more practice to get really good, (4) the way that one learns and practice can have a significant effect on one's skill level, (5) at the highest level there is always a factor of talent and luck. Overall, the 10,000 hour rule just means that it takes a really really long time and dedication to be a world class at something. For some it may take only 1,000 hours while others will not reach it no matter how much they try. I think that this meme has gotten out of control and perhaps people have focused more on the long hours than the joy of improving or understanding what improvement means. It is not always better to spend more time on something and in some sense the feeling that we should be working all the time has lead people to become less productive.