The 10,000-Hours Rule: Will Time Alone Improve Your Writing?

Many writers set goals, i.e. 1 hour or 1,000 words daily. How does your time work for you?

We’ve long heard the theory that 10,000 hours of practice is all that’s required to make you an expert in your field, whether it be illustrating, writing, or playing the violin.

But hours of practice alone isn’t enough. “Anders Ericsson, the Florida State University psychologist whose research on expertise spawned the 10,000-hour rule…[said], “You don’t get benefits from mechanical repetition, but by adjusting your execution over and over to get closer to your goal.” Focus, The Hidden Driver of Success, David Goleman. [DavidFarland.net link to  http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2014/01/22/daniel-goleman-focus-10000-hours-myth/]

If you want to improve rather than simply put in time, says Goleman, your first essential is focused effort. The second essential is receiving feedback from an expert eye.  For writers, that means it’s near impossible to go it alone. Critique groups, classes, writing conferences . . . what feedback has been the most helpful for you?

Originally posted at www.wifyr.com/blog (Artwork courtesy Eric Birkin.)