If you’ve read Malcolm Gladwell’s book “Outliers” then you’ve heard of the 10,000 hours theory. The basic theory is that to be great at anything requires a huge time dedication- 10,000 hours. Gladwell cites several examples from Bill Gates to the Beatles, but it all comes down to the fact that excellence takes time.
People often ask me “How much time does it take to become a critical thinker?” There is no real answer to that question. To find an estimate you’d have to first assess current critical thinking skill level, motivation, coaching access, time commitment, etc. It’s all variable. Maybe it takes 10,000 hours, but maybe it doesn’t.
One man is putting the 10,000 hour theory to the test. He has decided to devote six hours per day, six days a week, for six years in an effort to become a pro golfer. He’s 1 year (1,000 hours) into the project and his skills have already greatly improved. Will he become a professional golfer? Who knows, but with determination and motivation, he will certainly substantially improve his skill set at the end of the 10,000 hours.
How many hours would you devote to becoming an excellent critical thinker?
Editor’s Note: Breanne Harris is the Solutions Architect for Pearson TalentLens. She works with customers to design selection and development plans that incorporate critical thinking assessments and training. She has a Master’s degree in Organizational Psychology and has experience in recruiting, training, and HR consulting. She is the chief blogger for Critical Thinkers and occasionally posts at ThinkWatson. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter for more of her thoughts.
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Hi, Breanne – interesting question.
I have read and enjoyed Gladwell’s book. I don’t think there is anything “magical” about 10,000 hours, but the idea that you have to invest significant amounts of time to something to become a master at it is a valid point.
I don’t know how long it would take to become a Master Critical Thinker, but my immediate reaction to that question was “The rest of my life.”
Critical thinking seems to involve an ongoing and endless process of fine-tuning your ability to discern, evaluate, compare, and analyze data, events, processes, and people. You will certainly improve, but you will not necessarily stop growing in this ability.
After all, even the Beatles kept practicing, right?
John
Thank you for the comment, John. I couldn’t agree more. It’s just like when people tell me they’ve been in their role for years so they don’t need an executive coach. Tiger Woods still has a coach.
We can always improve, and it will always take work.