10,000 Hours vs. Skill Stacking: Why I Stopped Chasing Perfection and Found My Strengths

I used to beat myself up for not mastering one thing after 10,000 hours. But the deeper I went into entrepreneurship, the more I realized—it's not about perfection, it's about adaptability. The idea of spending years honing one skill just didn’t fit with my journey. Instead, I stacked skills from every project I worked on, and that’s what brought me here.

Recently, I listened to a conversation between David Epstein and Steven Bartlett, where Epstein challenged the 10,000-hour rule with new insights. His research showed that success isn’t about spending years perfecting one skill—it’s about combining several skills to create something unique

The truth is, the skills I learned—from design to running a school to fumigation—Brought me me here they were “successful” on their own. But each of them added layers to who I am & together they have help me define my purpose &

How Skill Stacking Built My Personal Brand

When I look back, it’s clear: skill stacking allowed me to pivot, adapt, and innovate. While the 10,000-hour rule demands perfection, skill stacking embraces versatility. It’s about recognizing the value in your diverse experiences and how they shape your unique story.

Here’s how skill stacking fueled my business:

• From Graphic Design to Coaching: My design background helped me understand branding on a deeper level, which I now use to help others.
• From Running a Fashion Brand to Building Communities: Every pivot added to my knowledge of marketing, sales, and the power of storytelling.
• From Fumigation to Business Coaching: Learning to sell invisible services gave me the insight to help entrepreneurs navigate complex sales strategies.

Why This Matters for Personal Branding and Business Coaching

1. You are Your Skills, Not Your Job Title: I’m not “just” a coach, or a designer, or an entrepreneur. I’m the sum of all these things. And that’s what makes my brand unique.
2. Build for Adaptability: Skill stacking prepares you for an unpredictable world. The more tools you have, the more you can pivot and create opportunities when the landscape shifts.
3. Innovation Happens at the Intersections: Like Nintendo, who innovated by blending gaming with interactive technology, I encourage my clients to think laterally. Your best ideas will often come from combining skills that don’t seem connected at first.

Continuous Growth: The Real Advantage

If there’s one thing my journey has taught me, it’s this: never stop learning. The world is moving fast, and adaptability isn’t optional anymore. Whether you’re building a brand or growing a business, what will set you apart is your willingness to stack, adapt, and keep moving forward.

?? Practical Application: Applying new information deepens understanding and memory.

?? Desirable Difficulties: Mixed practice boosts learning effectiveness.

?? Diverse Skills: Companies like Nintendo thrive on varied thinking, leading to innovation.

?? Experimentation: Trying different activities fosters curiosity and flow states.

?? Match Quality: Choosing careers that fit individual strengths leads to greater satisfaction.

?? Continuous Learning: Adaptability and ongoing education are crucial in a fast-changing world.

Final Thoughts

Perfection is outdated. What matters now is how you take your varied skills and use them to create something no one else can replicate. Success isn’t about mastering one thing, it’s about mastering your thing.

#Entrepreneurship #PersonalBranding #BusinessCoaching #SkillStacking #GrowthMindset #Adaptability #Innovation #ContinuousLearning