The 10,000 hours rule states that if you practice a skill for 10,000 hours, you can become an expert… based on research by psychologist Anders Ericsson, who studied expert performance in various fields.
However, I’ve been a full-time web developer at my company since 2007 and I’m still learning every day… studing every day… and that doesn’t even count when I started back in high school in 1995 or my early experiments with BASIC before that. Working full-time means dedicating over 2,000 hours per year. After 18 years, that’s more than 37,000 hours—far beyond the 10,000-hour rule.
Are you an Expert After 10,001 Hours?
No, you might not be an expert, but you will have gained a lot of experience. The most important part of getting better is something called Meta-Learning (learning how to learn). This means not just knowing what to learn, but also learning in a smart way that helps you solve problems and Thinking Critical
Large language models (LLMs) can help make some tasks easier and faster. Studies show they can cut down the time and effort needed for certain tasks. The real challenge is figuring out how to adapt and keep growing with these tools.
And here is when I talk about Meta-Learning, Dunning-Kruger effect, and stop, so that this article keeps simple… and not boring!
How I had the opportunity of testing it?
Being a father since 2007 gave me the opportunity to apply some of these theories for the best of my son. My first goal with my son’s education was to give him the ability to study in a good bilingual school… second, to teach him how to learn. Because of the 10,000 hours theory, we’ve always had in mind that before spending energy on something, it’s important to find out if that is the right way.
If something is wrong, practicing incorrectly makes us lose time!
And again… Because of all this, meta-learning starts early, and understanding the benefits of knowledge keeps us motivated to improve in what they enjoy… from sports to school, friendships, and family. However, when facing a time where nothing new is happening, or when challenges come from unhelpful teachers, it becomes clear that finding a new path can be better than just struggling without progress.
Quality time over Quantity…
So, my friends, becoming an expert isn’t just about how many hours we practice a skill. It’s more about the quality of our practice and how we learn. We need to be dedicated to become really good at something and know how to learn effectively. Developing meta-learning skills is important—not just knowing what to learn but also learning in a smart way.
Yet, despite all this time and experience, I still encounter frustration. Web development is constantly evolving, requiring continuous learning and adaptation. Mastery doesn’t mean the challenges disappear—it just means the challenges get more complex. The 10,000-Hour Rule is a great theory for learning skills—golf, surfing, woodworking, mechanics… you name it. But meta-learning is the key to self-discipline, learning, and reaching goals. Even so, I’ve been living this life since 1978, and I’m still learning every day… but for that, we need to keep an Open Mind.
If you really want to teach someone, don’t start by telling them how to do something… First, show them how to do it, and only then explain it!
How Much Are 10,000 Hours?
Ten thousand hours is a long time. There are 24 hours in a day, so if you divide 10,000 by 24, you get about 416.67 days. This means if someone practiced something for 10,000 hours straight, it would take them over a year to complete it without stopping. If you practiced for about 8 hours each day, it would take you around 1,250 days, which is almost 3.5 years! So, 10,000 hours is a huge commitment, showing that becoming really good at something takes a lot of time and effort.
Now think… What have you been doing for the last 3.5 years? What life skills have you gained?