Today’s Solutions: October 20, 2026

… and you need only 5 hours a week to acquire a new skill. Malcolm Gladwell famously introduced the “10,000-hour rule”, which states that spending 10,000 hours working on any skill can help us master it. Gladwell referred to careers of “trial and error” where ultimately the 10,000-hour mark leads to success. Michael Simmons of Empact suggests a slightly altered and more focused approach: Spend one hour a (work) day or 5 hours a week to consciously acquire a new skill. Simmons studied the pattern and argues that the “5-hour rule” leads to the same results as Gladwell’s 10,000 hours.

 

 

 

Solutions News Source Print this article
More of Today's Solutions

A Dutch startup is making concrete that grows its own moss

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Most building materials are designed to resist the elements, to stay sealed and unchanged for as long as ...

Read More

The surprising history of pumpkins: from ancient staple to autumn icon

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Pumpkin spice lattes, jack-o’-lanterns, and Thanksgiving pies: pumpkins are the unofficial mascots of fall. But behind their seasonal ...

Read More

Rotterdam becomes home to the world’s largest floating office

While Rotterdam is typically known for hosting Europe’s biggest port, the second largest Dutch city is also famous as a forerunning innovator in climate ...

Read More

There are special regions for singing in the brain

Music is a magical thing. There are many proven benefits to the power of music, from its synchronizing power to create bonds with the ...

Read More