Tags
Chris Brady, George Guzzardo, IAB Small Business Award, Lindsey Norton, Malcolm Gladwell, mental fitness challenge, Orrin Woodward, the-life-business
In the digital age that we live in, it is not hard to recognize that short cuts, laziness and complacency can quickly grab a hold of our lives without us even knowing it. If I lined up 10 people and asked them if they work hard, I would be willing to bet that all 10 of those people would say, “absolutely YES I work hard.” So we could all agree that people work hard; but I could argue that everyone’s definition of hard work is seemingly different. So if this is true, then why do so few people succeed in life?
We often hear in the media, “Wow, where did they come from? How did they get so successful overnight?” We sometimes say these ignorant statements forgetting that overnight success takes years to develop. Orrin Woodward has talked about and written many articles discussing Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000 hour rule. In the Outliers, Gladwell states that to master anything it requires 10,000 hours of deliberate practice.
Let’s use Orrin Woodward as an example. Orrin was a systems engineer for General Motors. He was being groomed to be the top-level engineer in the entire company. At an early age in his career he was introduced to entrepreneurship, community building and leadership education (but at the time it certainly didn’t look that cool). I would assume that in his mid 20’s when he was first introduced he did not say to himself, “I am going to master community building.” However, he did transfer his discipline, hard work and courage to this new and unknown territory humbly submitting to a profession that he knew very little about. With that he started to become a veracious learner and worker and eventually committed to making community building his mastery. We now know Orrin 18-20 years later as the #6 leadership guru in the world, IAB award winner, best-selling author and master community builder. So how does a guy with over 207,000 twitter followers, 10’s of thousands of Facebook followers and 10’s of thousands of LIFE community members get to be an overnight success like that?
It’s simple; learn everything there is to know about your craft or your field by committing to Gladwell’s 10,000 hour rule. The problem is that most people start the journey but never finish and then blame the failure on someone or something else. If you never took the time to master it, then how on earth can you blame someone else for your lack of success? I played 18 years of basketball (almost my entire life). If I had quit basketball at any time during the journey then I would have no right to blame anyone but myself for having the lack of courage to discipline myself to deliberately put in the 10,000 hrs+ of practice required to be successful. The reason we hear these stories being called an ‘overnight success’ is because you don’t actually witness the early morning wake up calls, the pain of rejection, the late night anxiety, the financial investment, the lost friendships, the fears of venturing into the unknown, the physical exhaustion associated with the work involved or the hundreds of times you’ve doubted yourself. But then one day you get called an ‘overnight success.’
I received a text from a team member the other day that said, “check out this 16 year-old dancer, I think she has put in her 10,000 hrs.”
This 16 year-old girl started dancing at 2 years old. While she is still young, it certainly doesn’t rule out the fact that she has deliberately practiced 10,000 hours to master acrobatic dancing. Lindsey said in her video that she practices 15-20 hours a week. If you break that down it’s between 2.5-3 hrs per day and roughly 1,000 hours a year most likely taking her over 10 years to get to be as good as she is today. And I wouldn’t be surprised if many audience members thought, “Wow, this young lady is going to be an overnight success.”
There are so many examples of people who have put in the 10,000+ hours necessary to master their craft but the next question I challenge you with is, what craft are you choosing to master? D.L Moody says, “Our greatest fear should not be failure, but of succeeding at something that doesn’t matter.” Chris Brady says, “Don’t invest your life into something that doesn’t matter.” Is what you are mastering of eternal value? Going back to the beginning, I mentioned that most people have the belief that they work very hard. And for most people this is true; however, is that hard work going to matter 5, 10 or 20 years from now or will it only make you 5, 10 or 20 years older? These are deep questions to think about.
What I love most about the-life-business and the mental fitness challenge is that it allows us to identify the priorities in our life. It allows us to figure out what matters and strive for excellence in those particular areas. It gives us a road map to mastery in things of eternal value – like purpose, legacy, relationship (with our creator) and character.
I encourage anyone who feels a little lost, is discouraged with their results in life, is searching for meaning and wants to truly live the life they have always wanted to become a LIFE member and take the mental fitness challenge and discover what it really means to be an overnight success at something that matters.
Blessings,
Kristen
How true these words are. When one looks back saying how did I get here it sure wasn’t over night it took time of doing and plenty of prctice, pratice, and more practice. I spent thirty years “practicing ” a trade (maybe?) I may have mastered it.
I now am working on becoming a success in LIFE got many hours to go.
You are taking the right steps Bill and are humbly venturing down an eternal road that will lead you to so much success in life and in LIFE! Very proud of you!
Kristen, I really enjoy your writing. You are a living example of the 10,000 hr law of success. When Dave CHatmon shared your basketball success story this weekend at The Woodwards estate, I was blown away… again! I’ve heard it before,yet I still marvel at your commitment and tenacity to help your basketball team win the championship. It doesn’t surprise me that you have risen to the exceptional level of leadership in community building with the LIFE business. It is an honor to run life with you. Godspeed to your dreams and goals!
Thanks Matt! LIFE has truly been an answered prayer! Listening to you and Michelle speak is so refreshing and impressive. You draw me and many others in because you humbly speak from your hearts and I can’t wait until you guys are producing your own CD’s. Thanks for being incredible examples of the 10,000 hr mastery rule in all areas of your life! God Bless
Well said Kristen.
Thanks for your comment Jeremy!
Hey Kristen- great article! You have what it takes to get those 10,000 hours in on your way to the top!! Thanks for your example! Love ya!
Thanks Joanne! I am so blessed to have you and Kurt in the battle with me! I am so proud of both of you! I have seen you both grow so much and it’s humbling to watch. I pray for a marriage some day that is as strong as yours! You have applied the 10,000 hour rule in swimming and many other areas and now you are applying it in LIFE! Looking forward to a great future with you both!
Another important aspect of the overnight success model is failure. All too often the success is lauded and showcased but what gets overlooked are the setbacks along the way. When Orrin Woodward talks about gladwells 10000 hours of mastery he correctly speaks of the setback, roadblocks, fallures that come during that period. It is the mark of a champion, master, success how he or she responds to those inevitable and necessary obstacles. it is in the PDCA process that individuals take the positive worthwhile elements of each endevour and apply to the next attempt. All the while refining and improving their respecitive craft or ability. The “overnight success ” is no mere single accomplishment but rather the culmination and continued improvement of a skill, craft, etc. It is a priveledge to be able to “rub shoulders” with a community of people who recognize what is needed to succeed. Thanks Kristen for leading the way.
WOW Matt! Fantastic explanation! You are spot on! It has been so neat watching you grow and overcome obstacles that in many cases would have stopped ‘regular’ people dead in their tracks! You are a fighter in everything you do! I know that if you apply this 10,000 hour rule into LIFE (just as you have in fitness) you will be living a life that most could only dream about! The journey is worth it and I know you know that 😉 Very proud of you!
God gives the power to endure, he gave no guarantee of easy but he promised to be there with us the whole time.. it helps knowing that he has a plan and we are here to work that plan
hey Matt: You along with Kristen know what it takes to persevere despite falling you get back up and move forward. Proud to be associated with both of you.
Thanks
Bill I am truly blessed to be part of a community that loves folks where they are at and are right there when needed. Thank you for you continued insight!
You guys are awesome! Thanks for leading 🙂
Great article Kristen, very inspiring. Her passion for this art is obvious and what a great treat that her parents are such great support. They understood the concept of delayed gratiffication, I can only imagine how long she practiced while waiting for this opportunity. Key point though she practiced while waiting, how many times do we want something and keep waiting for it, but do nothing to make it happen. Ten thounsand hours and more she put into this moment. Many of us are just starting our 10,000 hour journey in LIFE, and I am glad to have you and the rest of our team to walk this journey, that do get it and do support each other. Go Team Conviction, All In… for LIFE.
Great insight Imelda! You are absolutely right… delayed gratification not only works for finances, it works for everything! It requires practice, patience and courage to have the faith necessary to fulfill the 10,000 hours to mastery. You are on your way Imelda and it’s a blessing to have you in the battle! Very proud of you!
Looks like Team conviction are all in and on the same page . Must be the system works hey !!! Great to be apart of this with all of you. with folks like you hope springs eternal. Blessing –Bill–
Awesome blog Kristen!! I really appreciate the leader that you are. Thanks for representing our age group so well. I really like this blog and it reminds me a bit of you!!! You are hitting huge leadership levels seemingly “all of the sudden” but I remember when you were hitting power player after power player. That doesnt happen by chance!! It just proves again, work while no one is looking and it will pay off. We are so proud to be working with hard workers like yourself!! Congrats on your accomplishments and we can’t wait to cheer you on along your journey!!
Thank you Kristina for your encouraging words! You and Josh also are becoming fantastic leaders! It’s so much fun to watch the growth process and I know that with the hunger the leaders have in the LIFE community, including yourselves, there is really no stopping us! Keep learning and leading 🙂
Absolutely fantastic article!
Thanks for your comment Valerie!
The more of us that are having meaningful dialogue, associating with like minded individuals, acknowledge our ability to make a change; the greater the oppurtunity for our communities to grow and our world to change Ultimately leading to world in God’s’ image, serving others and blessing others with his love. To have Christ inspired leaders and mentors leading the way is a blessing. And realize that those 10000 hours are nothing compared to the long term of eternity. Pursue God and use his gifts to you to serve and the reward witll be awesome
Thanks kristen for helping to show us how
Amen Matt! You rock!
Hey Kristen! Love your article and so did my kids. The video was an excellent illustration and worked to explain the concepts clearly to a 5 and 6 year old (I think I got it too). We all appreciate your leadership!
Jammie
Thanks Jammie! I am humbled that you shared it with your kids. You and Richard are incredible examples of the 10,000 hour rule in many areas of your life and you both have always inspired me. Thank you for continuing to be a leader who chases after excellence and knows what it takes to have success.
My daughter was practicing some of the moves she learned today. Said she can use them to defend herself, as well as dance. Kids are awesome! Thanks for your kind words.
Kristen, every time i read your blog I’m thinking about how you are setting the bar for the future of education! Proud of you. George
Thanks George, I am thankful for leaders like you and Jill who set the bar high for all of us to grow, serve and make a difference. Thank you for all you do for me, the team and the future of this great country.
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