Deliberate practice matters more than time on the job

Psychologist Anders Ericsson suggests that exceptional performance is the result of deliberate practice (“perfect practice makes perfect”).

Ericsson found that no matter the field of expertise, when it comes to elite status, there is no correlation between time in the profession and performance levels. A 20-year-veteran brain surgeon is not likely to be any more skilled than a 5-year rookie by virtue of time on the job. Any difference between the two has nothing to do with experience and everything to do with deliberate practice. … time is not the critical variable for mastery. The critical factor is using time wisely. It’s the skill of practice that makes perfect.^[1]

#performance

See also:

• Deliberate practice is focused, at the edge, with feedback
• Results are produced by vital behaviors