Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers explores this topic and concludes that lots of deliberate practice — which includes making mistakes and recognizing them — lead

Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers explores this topic and concludes that lots of deliberate practice — which includes making mistakes and recognizing them — leads to expertise and mastery. He says 10,000 hours, but the amount of practice required varies by person and skill. I don’t think there’s any way around lots of deliberate practice, though. That much work requires interest, passion, introspection, diligence, and feedback from mentors. I don’t think anyone can read their way to expertise. There’s no secret technique or knowledge hidden behind paywalls. Rather than thinking about “becoming an expert” reframe it as “mastering a skill or domain.” No on is an expert, that’s a shorthand to describe someone who achieved mastery or deep understanding through deliberate practice.