How Long Will It Take Me

To master this skill...?

To cultivate this habit...?

This is a question that I get often during coaching. The truth is,

I have no answer. And I will tell you why.

I know it is tough to work on something not knowing how long it may take, especially when it comes to certain skills such as effective communication.

1. Case 1: If your communication skill has improved, your relationship with people may improve. How do we quantify 'improvement in relationships"? You can argue that with better relationships come better opportunities/ insights etc, but to most of us, that is a real long shot!
2. Case 2: If your communication skill has improved, your sales results may potentially improve. This is easier to measure since we can look at figures.

So, how?

Do most people go against all odds and do whatever it takes to get them there? Or do most people just give up? Find some excuses.

I read resumes all the time, and it is becoming more cliché to always come across words such as 'great leadership', 'great presentation', 'team player'. There is nothing wrong with these words, and I do give the benefit of the doubt, however, it is not going to make you standout!

I also find myself refraining from recommending using 'X years of experience' too often in a resume/ self-introduction simply because I do not believe that one actually spends that number of years mastering that particular skill.

Staying in that job for X number of years does not mean that you naturally possess X number of years of competence.

If I really look at someone's time usage on the job (i.e 8 hours), I think it is not too exaggerated to say that they spend less than 50% of that time on actually honing their core skills. CNBC Make It talks about 谷歌 's 20% rule whereby they encourage their employees, in addition to their regular projects, to spend 20% of their time working on what they think will most benefit them.

So, how?

Are most people mindful of how they are spending their time at work and creating the best outcomes out of any situation? Or do they skive at work?

Some of you will recall the 10,000-hour rule. Have you tried to break it down?

For example, I want to be good at coaching.

Assuming I only get to have 4 hours per working day (minus all the admin etc) to do actual coaching, and I work 5 days a week.

I spend 4*5=20 hours per week honing my coaching skills, I would then need 10,000/20=500 weeks. So in total, it will take me 500/52=9.6 years.

This is based on the assumption that I have been conscientious and consistent for 9.6 years with no break.

So, how?

Do most people invest in themselves outside of work? There is no shortcut to success but there is a faster way, a compressed way. If you want to see whether someone really does have the competence they say they do, do take a look at what they are doing outside of their regular work.

Ending this week's reflection with the Learning Pyramid. I find it pretty thoughtful!

Becoming Irreplaceable ?aims to empower fellow professionals to build sustainable and meaningful careers, and taking the control back for us to increase our own happiness index!