The 10000-hour rule? 

Let’s call it the “10,000-hour suggestion.”

Because let’s be honest, not all hours are created equal.

Imagine Person A and Person B. Both want to become expert software engineers.

Person A works 5 hours a day, but they’re laser-focused. No distractions, no TikTok breaks, just pure, unadulterated coding.

Person B works 10 hours a day, but half of that is spent debugging code they wrote while half-asleep at 2 a.m.

Who’s going to level up faster?

Probably Person A, because they’re not running on caffeine and existential dread.

Research shows that deliberate practice — focused, intentional, and mindful work — is what really builds expertise.

So, if Person A is putting in 5 hours of deliberate practice daily, they’re likely gaining more skill than Person B, who’s grinding 10 hours but only half-present.

But wait, let’s talk about burnout.

Why Working Smarter Beats Working Longer?

Person B might hit 10,000 hours faster, but at what cost?

By the time they’re an “expert,” they might also be an expert at staring blankly at walls and forgetting their own name.

Meanwhile, Person A is fresh, creative, and still knows how to enjoy sunlight.

Now, let’s add a twist: what if Person B loves what they do?

What if those 10 hours fly by because they’re genuinely passionate?

In that case, maybe the hours don’t feel like work at all.

But even then, there’s a limit.

The human brain isn’t designed to function at full capacity for 10 hours straight.

After a certain point, you’re just typing gibberish and hoping it compiles.

So, let’s compare:

Person A: 5 hours a day, focused, balanced, and still has time for hobbies like “sleeping” and “eating.”

Person B: 10 hours a day, passionate but possibly overworked, and their hobby is “napping at their desk.”

Who’s the real winner?

It’s not about the hours — it’s about how you use them.

Person A might hit 10,000 hours slower, but they’ll likely be happier, healthier, and just as skilled, if not more.

Person B might get there faster, but they’ll also need a vacation on a deserted island with no Wi-Fi.

In conclusion, the 10,000-hour rule is a guideline, not a gospel.

Whether you’re working 5 hours or 10, what matters is the quality of those hours.

And if you’re working 10 hours a day, maybe ask yourself:

“Am I becoming an expert, or am I just really good at ignoring my life?”

Sources:

• Ericsson, K. A., Krampe, R. T., & Tesch-Römer, C. (1993). The Role of Deliberate Practice in the Acquisition of Expert Performance. Psychological Review.
• Gladwell, M. (2008). Outliers: The Story of Success.
• Science of Burnout, Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology

Now go take a break. Your brain (and your code) will thank you.