I think Cal Newport, and the study discussed in the article, are right on. By most measures I have had a very successful career developing software and doing r

I think Cal Newport, and the study discussed in the article, are right on. By most measures I have had a very successful career developing software and doing research. My deliberate practice has been learning new languages, solving very difficult problems both on my own, and for work, and for most of my career averaged about 30 hour part time work weeks (even when working for large companies like SAIC). I work very hard for a few periods during the day. The exception to this was my last job before retiring this year where I really had three jobs in one, so I had very few breaks in my work day except for a couple of long walks. Deliberate practice is the way to get good at things and achieve success.