10,000 hours

In the fall of 2013 I was introduced to the author Malcom Gladwell. I had never read any of his books until last fall. Technically, with all the driving I was  doing, I listened to him on audio book while shuttling boys.

The first book I listened to was Outliers. Amazing read if you haven't read. Among many topics that he writes about is the idea of 10,000 hours. That a person needs to dedicate 10,000 hours to a given sport, musical instrument etc. With those 10,000 hours comes honing of skills where a person  could achieve a certain level of mastering or success. 

I am a firm believer that some people are blessed with God given talent. Musically, there are prodigies. Athletically, there are people that walk this earth that can do amazing things without too much effort. For the rest of us, it takes time , patience, perseverance and more importantly a mindset to never give up. 

So when looking at my own life, I think about how many hours I have worked with patients in physical therapy. I knew when I graduated back in 1999, I was new and had much to learn beside what I was taught in class and  read in books. The real learning for me happened on the clinical floor. I have put in my 10,000 hours. Am I an expert? Heck no! But what I can tell you is that I am confident in what I have learned and know. I believe that when you stop learning you stop living. My dad always taught me that I should learn 3 new things each day.(Interesting to think about now as an adult..)

 I too have been given a gift. This gift comes in the form of being able to communicate and connect with people. I have a true sense of my own calling at this point in my 44 years on this earth. I am here to help others, in whatever form that takes. Earlier in my life it manifested in physical therapy. Now,  it is health/wellness coaching and yoga They all fall under the umbrella of making a positive difference in peoples lives. 

.

So today as I write this blog. We are coming to the close of football and water polo season. Mitchell has never played polo before this summer. He is a strong swimmer. He was on a huge learning curve in Agoura since most boys he is playing with have been playing as long as he has been swimming laps! It has been interesting to watch him develop and learn from coaches and other players. As a mother, I have had to remind him on a few occasions ,that he is playing with boys that have put in their hours.

Jack played football for the first time this year. As a mother, I really didn't want him to play. Jack on the other hand was all about the idea.... Steve thought it would be a good structured environment for him to learn about the game and accountability.  Being the second to the smallest was tough as a mom to watch while he was on the line.. I knew I needed to learn from the experience as much as Jack.

So both my boys have put in hours in something new this year. Not even close to the magic 10,000 hours. As the season ends, it is the time where decisions need to be made about winter season. What sport will be next... Mitchell will continue with water polo in club until swim season begins for high school in the spring. Jack? Maybe water polo is next on his list of sports to try.  He is more of a team sports kid... who knows, maybe being a lefty could be helpful.

Have you heard the song by  Macklemore 10,000 hours? 

Before Fall of 2013 I had never used the reference 10,000 hours in conversation. Now? you guessed it... plenty... 

What have you done in your life for 10,000 hours?

Wishing you all the best,