Outdo Yourself to Better Yourself
November 15th, 2008. Published under The Ultimate You. No Comments.
Once you are settled into a particular pursuit, building up 10,000 hours’ worth of experience usually depends on seizing skill-building opportunities both on and off the job.
I worked as an editor for a publishing company during the time our offices made the transition from typewriters to computers. The company sent me to classes to learn the basics of Windows 3.1 and also Adobe Pagemaker because they wanted me to shift from editing to graphic design. (I had pursued an art minor in college.) Soon after completing the introductory classes, I sought permission to start doing volunteer layout jobs for local nonprofit organizations using company computers. My employer gladly gave me the keys to the offices so that I could let myself come and go during weekend hours when no one else was around. I designed newspapers, brochures, and ads for groups happy for the donated labor, but at the same time I sharpened my skills for my company. It was a win-win-win for all of us: my company, my favorite charities, and me.
However, becoming a master of your trade requires something more than accumulating hours of experience. Malcolm Gladwell says that you also need to choose challenging assignments. If you never feel an ounce of fear when beginning a new project, you are probably not doing enough to advance your skills. Get out of your comfort zone and try something difficult!