The Most Important Trait for Success in Any Domain
Jul 10, 2024
K. Anders Ericsson devoted his life to studying expert performers across many domains like medicine, music, and sports.
(He's the one responsible for the 10,000-hr rule widely popularized and misconstrued by Malcolm Gladwell).
His task was to identify what went into achieving highest absolute performance: mindset, physical practice, innate endowment, resources, time, age, etc.
One surprising idea was that coaches and top performers ranked desire as the "most important factor for eventual success in any domain."
Desire is underrated.
The word 'eventual' is important here-- it suggests that desire alone (obviously) will not lead to high levels of performance, but will fuel sustained effort.
Desire is valuable. It's what keeps the fire burning and life interesting.
It's also what happens to drive expert performance.
It's uncouth to talk about your desires after a childhood.
Sometimes we lose touch with them.
As a teacher, the most rewarding students are the ones who desire to learn piano. Not the most talented or the easiest to work with, those who truly have a desire to play.
Keep playing,
Michelle
