Making of an expert

Yesterday Sachin Tendulkar made history and has amassed both the highest number of runs and maximum 100's in cricket tests and one-dayers. Joined National cricket team at 16 and 20 years of cricketing and still going strong. He is a legend in cricket.

What is the secret of making an expert, a legend, a child prodigy or a genius?

Easy answer: Practice, Practice, Practice

It takes 10,000 hours of practice for the making of an expert in any chosen field what so ever. Same is true for Sachin Tendulkar in cricket, A R Rehman in music, Saina Nehwal in Badminton, Sania Mirza in Tennis or for that matter Bill gates, Bill Joy or Steve Jobs in Computers.

By the team these folks were 19 years -- they put in 10,000 hours or practice or more.

Their talent and expertise is to a major extent an outcome of the extraordinary opportunities that kept coming their way that enhanced their interest, zeal and passion towards the field.

Magic number is 10,000 hours of practice by the age of 16 is equivalent to 3 hours of practice per day for 10 years.
Apply it to Sports like Cricket, Badminton, Chess, Tennis or Business like finance, software or hardware to see the results.

So if we could build a Lab or a stadium that can help our children practice, practice, practice and importantly have fun for 10,000 hours -- we could create experts in their chosen field.