What Kind of Swimmer Could You Be in 10 Years

By TERRY LAUGHLIN

In the August 2006 issue of “Scientific American” an article, “The Expert Mind” by Philip E. Ross studied the mental processes of chess masters in order to draw out lessons for expertise or mastery in other fields. Because skill at chess can be easily measured – ranking points establish relative levels of mastery with a high degree of accuracy and consistency – it has become a popular testing ground for theories on how humans learn cognitive skills.

Researchers have found that chess grand-masters rely on a vast store of knowledge of game positions which they organize in “chunks,” for quick retrieval from long-term memory and use in working memory. To accumulate this archive of functional knowledge, grandmasters typically engage in years of what Ross referred to as “effortful practice,” continually seeking challenges that lie just beyond their current ability level. Top performers in music, dance, math and sports appear to gain their expertise via the same process, motivated as much by a desire for self-improvement as by outside competition.

The article’s conclusion was that intrinsic motivation and “effortful practice” are more important than natural ability for achieving mastery. Ross wrote that it appears to take at least 10 years of intense work to become expert in the areas he studied. He also noted that most people fail to progress beyond “average,” less because of natural shortcomings, than because they lose motivation or become satisfied and stop working at their craft far short of mastery.

Most novices engage in effortful practice at first, which is why beginners so often improve rapidly. But upon reaching a point where gains are more elusive or feeling their achievement level is SATISFACTORY – or that they’ve reached their potential – most people relax. Their current skill level becomes ever more entrenched and less susceptible to further improvement.

Researchers in several studies have found that the content of practice makes far more difference than the volume. Many enthusiasts spend tens of thousands of hours playing chess, golf or a musical instrument yet remain at a middling level. A small number maintain an inclination to examine, critique and build on what they “know” and steadily bypass their peers.

Some questions for discussion:

• In light of the 10-year rule, what kind of swimmer might you aspire to be a decade from now?
• What will it take to get there?
• What will “effortful practice” look like for you?
• What are the obstacles you might face?
• Which of these can be eliminated, and which need to be worked around?
• Would you benefit by encouraging others to join you in this quest?
• If so, how would you do so?

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