Summary:
Every bit of skill building comes from a physiological structure in the brain. When developing a skill, signals shoot from neuron to neuron through synapses. At the same time, myelin (a "sausagey" like substance composed of phospholipids) encases the synapses. This 2nd, more important, process is what increases speed and accuracy in the skill. So therefore, the more times you can shoot a signal correctly to the right neuron, the more myelin will wrap it up, and the better you will be at that skill! It is believed that 10,000 hours of target focused practice (roughly a decade) is needed to build enough myelin to be an expert. Child prodigies accomplish this not through bypassing this process, as we believe, but from their genetic obsession with mastery. If we can build this obsession with mastery in ourselves, we can be as skilled as any "prodigy."
Key Concepts:
The previously overlooked myelin plays an essential role in developing skill. Repetitive practice that has been proven successful is actually an increase in myelin insulation around synapses. We all have myelin, so we can learn skills!
Key Terms:
Myelin
Neurons
Synapses
Skill
Deliberate Practice
Making Connections:
I need to be actually excited about making mistakes, because that is the beautiful place where progress begins in the brain.
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