My Worst Fear in Business
🕰️ 10,000 hours.
10,000 hours - the magical amount of hours it takes to master a skill and become unconsciously competent in that given skill.
Popularised by Malcolm Gladwell in his book Outliers, the ‘10,000 hour’ theory is a common rule of thumb to show that you’re a master of a skill which in any working persons life is around 5 years… (I worked that out by taking an 8 hour day and working 5 days a week for the full 52 weeks and then multiplying that by 5 years)
I’ve been in 3 careers for around 5 years -
British Army - Telecommunications Technician - 8.5 years.
Water Treatment - approx 9 years.
Valves - Just turned 5 years in the job (that’s flown by the way).
So the theory would have it that I am proficient and competent in all three of these professions and it’s not a theory I can argue against, I would probably struggle to operate modern day Army telecommunications equipment now but the theory should remain the same, I could probably hold my own in a conversation surrounding dosing of a water system and I know (pretty much) what I’m talking about when it comes to valves.
Don’t forget that I also created a small company during lockdown which focused on sales coaching and it dabbled a little bit in social media content creation - I probably did that for around 18 months before I closed it all down - my point is that it was to do with sales and that's the over riding factor.
Despite being a ‘master’ (and I use those quote marks in the loosest possible sense) at three things, I always get a little itchy feet around the 5 year mark because I worry that I’m being typecast.
It’s why Christopher Eccleston dropped out of Doctor Who after one season, why Matthew McConaughey suddenly went towards dark dramas instead of Rom Com and why Tom Hanks went deep with the movie Philadelphia.
I don’t want to be ‘that’ guy.
One thing I’ve always struggled to do (and I struggled to do it when chatting with Christophe Stourton recently) is to niche down exactly what I do and what I want to do so why would I want to be known by others for one thing?
The idea of creating a niche terrifies me.
I can’t and won’t believe that I should niche down to one particular offering.
🤬 Why I won’t ‘niche’ down.
The word ‘niche’ (I’d love to know how you say it - ‘nitch’ or ‘neesh’) conjures up a fear of disconnecting all the elements of myself and only focusing on one - the definition of creating a niche I suppose.
The problem with this is that I am not that good at that part - in sales, the benefit of being able to adapt and become the ideal ‘seller’ means that you can become someone else and that’s who the buyer buys into.
I couldn't just be the ‘straight talker’ or the ‘funny guy’ - I have to adapt and improvise all the time.
In my career, I have never wanted to be the ‘guy from the Army’ or the ‘Legionella’ guy - I wanted to be someone more than that.
I definitely do not want to be known as the ‘valve’ guy.
If I was to creat a niche for myself it would feel like I’ve given up - given up on creativity, given up on experimenting and given up on being someone who wants to say yes to a loads of things.
You see, if I’d stuck with water treatment, sure I’d have a decent career and I’d have that 10,000 hours worth of knowledge to help others and teach/coach but I think it’s when I reach that point that I get bored.
🫣 My Biggest Fear
Imagine doing a job for the rest of your life. Doing that one thing over and over again.
For me, it would be like;
A restaurant only serving one dish for the rest of time.
A musician only playing one song on stage, only getting to play that one song.
A movie director only being able to use one screenplay to direct.
The lack of thinking, the lack of creativity, the lack of excitement and the ability to be inquisitive would be deadly.
I think, if I knew everything there was to know (or get as close as possible - 10,000 hrs) then life gets pretty boring.
I know there are plenty of people out there who relish the opportunity to work and do their dream job every day but growth, change and inquisitiveness that comes with learning something new are the cornerstones of what I want to do with my life.
I cannot imagine a world where I can’t ask questions and be amazed about something new.
The author David Viscott (his book was Risking) wrote that;
“If you cannot risk, you cannot grow. If you cannot grow, you cannot become your best. If you cannot become your best, you cannot be happy. If you cannot be happy, what else matters.”
And that hits me deep - I never want to not take risks.
🌱 We should embrace to grow - How?
🧭 Embrace Diverse Exploration
To steer clear of career boredom and maximize enjoyment, adopt a growth mindset. Instead of sticking to a single, narrow niche, allow yourself to venture into different territories that spark your interest. Just like a well-rounded menu offers a variety of flavors, your career can benefit from diverse experiences. Pursue opportunities that challenge you, even if they seem unrelated at first.
Remember, the joy lies not only in mastering a skill but also in the continuous journey of discovery.
🚀 Embrace Adaptability
Rather than confining yourself to a single role or identity, cultivate adaptability.
In sales and beyond, the ability to switch personas and connect with various audiences can be a superpower. Strive to be the versatile artist, not limited to a single masterpiece.
By embracing adaptability, you ensure that your career remains dynamic, exciting, and responsive to changing landscapes. Embrace the art of improvisation, allowing you to navigate new challenges with creativity and innovation.
📚 Embrace Lifelong Learning
Break the monotony by embracing continuous learning and growth.
Fearlessly step into uncharted territories and acquire fresh skills. Reject the notion of reaching the pinnacle of expertise and instead embrace the journey of lifelong learning.
Just as a musician explores new melodies and a chef experiments with diverse ingredients, your career can flourish through ongoing curiosity.
Uphold the belief that curiosity fuels innovation, and learning fuels happiness. Embrace risks, ask questions, and keep expanding your horizons.