The Power of Deliberate Practice to Create Success: Jesse Itzler's 18-Minute Formula for Skill Development

"If you can practice 18 minutes a day, in one year you'll be a world-class expert, and in two years you'll be a master." 

This is the quote that Jesse Itzler, a successful entrepreneur, and author, lives by. Itzler believes in the power of deliberate practice and consistent effort over time. But, is it really possible to become a world-class expert in just 18 minutes of practice a day?

The concept of deliberate practice and its role in skill development has been extensively researched by K. Anders Ericsson, a Swedish psychologist who is considered the world's leading expert on expertise. Ericsson's work on the subject led to the development of the "10,000 Hour Rule," which states that it takes approximately 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to achieve mastery in a skill. However, more recent research by Ericsson and his colleagues has revealed that deliberate practice, not just the number of hours, is the key to achieving world-class proficiency in a skill.

Ericsson's research showed that deliberate practice is characterized by focused, intentional, and systematic practice with the goal of improving specific aspects of performance. This type of practice involves breaking down a skill into smaller parts, setting specific goals, and seeking feedback from experts. It is different from regular practice, which is often more repetitive and less structured.

Interestingly, Ericsson's research also revealed the "100-hour rule." This rule suggests that it takes approximately 100 hours of deliberate practice to achieve world-class proficiency in a skill. While the exact number of hours required may vary depending on the complexity of the skill and individual factors such as talent and prior experience, the 100-hour rule provides a useful guideline for setting goals and tracking progress.

To summarize, the equation "Deliberate Practice X Skill Selection X 100 Hours = World-Class Skill" suggests that deliberate practice, skill selection, and 100 hours of practice time are the key components required to achieve world-class proficiency in a particular skill. Deliberate practice involves focused, intentional, and systematic practice, while skill selection involves choosing a skill that aligns with your interests and values. The 100 hours of practice time is based on the "100-hour rule" and provides a guideline for setting goals and tracking progress.

Becoming a world-class expert is not an easy feat, and it requires deliberate practice, skill selection, and consistent effort over time. While the exact amount of time required may vary, the 100-hour rule provides a useful guideline for setting goals and tracking progress. Whether it's 18 minutes a day or an hour a day, consistent, intentional practice is the key to achieving world-class proficiency in a skill.