In his book, Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell examines the why and how behind successful men, women, cultures, musicians and athletes.

In many cases he attributes the “10,000-Hour Rule”, as the key to success in any field is because, to a large extent, it is a matter of practicing a specific task for a total of around 10,000 hours.

As an author, I first thought, “Impossible!” I mean, 10,000 hours? Of writing? Before getting publishes? Most of people have day-jobs, you know?

Gladwell uses Canadian hockey players as an example, describing a player’s rise from the junior leagues all the way to professional. He found that most, not all, NHL players were born in the first 3 months of a calendar year. Due to age cut offs to sign up for the league, the kids born in January – March were actually OLDER and more developed than the younger players in the same league.

As a result, they were more skilled, more coordinated, and ended up with the most opportunities — better coaching, more practice and play.

To get to 10,000 hours, a kid plays X months a year (hockey is a long season), five days a week, or more, from the time he’s what? Eight to eighteen? At the age of eight, most writers were reading or scribbling but we weren’t being “coached” or even drilled every day after school and once on Saturday.

Gladwell sites the Beatles phenomenon. Most of us grew up believing Paul and John just were great songwriters, out of the box. Easy-peasy. But no.

In their beginning days the Fab Four played at a bar in Hamburg, Germany eight hours a night, six nights a week for four years! 10,000 hours built up fast. I can see how they gelled as a band and developed song writing prowess.

Computer giant Bill Gates snuck into the University of Washington’s computer lab in the late ’60s, early ‘70s to work on their main frames in the middle of the night. By the time he got to Harvard, he’d already programmed more than 10,000 hours. He knew more than his professors about programming.

After listening to Outliers on CD, I gathered my courage and calculated my writing hours. Did I even come close to 10,000?

I started keeping a diary in first grade, but I wasn’t too faithful at making entries. So I didn’t count those years. But in fourth grade, it became a regular gig for me. By the time I got married in ’92, I had seventeen years worth of diaries. I figured journaling five hours a week, fifty-two weeks a year (give or take) times seventeen years and I’d logged 4,420 hours. Then I calculate my high school and college paper writing hours, letter writing, and the three years I was a technical writer at my corporate job, and I figured I’d logged ten thousand hours easy by the time I sat down to write my first novel in ’93.

I had one well-rejected closet novel, one rejected novella and one e-book before I was published in book form  in ‘04.

Looking back, I think, “Wow, that was fast.” Yes, publishing came over a course of ten years because I quit writing for awhile when I returned to the corporate world, but in reality, publication came around quickly for me.

But don’t moan, I’ve paid dues on the other side of publishing!

Here’s the point I want to make: Don’t despair the hours and effort it takes to write a publishable novel.

Some of you have dreamed of writing for years but never had the time or know how to write. In today’s internet world, you’re finally finding the resources and help you need. But you lack the “practice,” the 10,000 hours.

When most authors start out, the number one battle is time. How to find it. How to keep it. How to maintain a regular writing schedule.

For some reason, we think we can put off writing when it’s hard, when we’re tired, when we are interrupted, when other more interesting things come along.

Do you think the Beatles would’ve given up playing music all night in a bar in order to watch Survivor? Do you think Bill Gates would’ve skipped his midnight rendezvous with a main frame computer so he could play basketball with his buddies? Or to party? Passion drove the Beatles. Bill Gates. Steve Jobs.

Seriously, how many kids today would say, “What? I ain’t playing eight hours a night in a honky-tonk for a few dollars. Where’s my record deal?”

Okay fine, then don’t play. But your name and music will not be remembered.

There’s a great line in Troy where a messenger boy seeks out Achilles to tell him he’s wanted on the battle field.

Messenger Boy: Are the stories true? They say your mother was an immortal goddess. They say you can’t be killed.

Achilles: I wouldn’t be bothering with the shield then, would I? 

Messenger Boy: The Thesselonian you’re fighting… he’s the biggest man I’ve ever seen. I wouldn’t want to fight him. 

Achilles: That’s why no-one will remember your name.

There’s something profound in that statement. Courage! It takes courage to do what we are good at, what we are called to do.

As Christians we try to balance our dreams and goals with the humility of Christ. How can we be humble yet a faithful laborer? Yet a big dreamer? By being faithful yet trusting HIM with the outcome.

Don’t surrender to fear. Don’t surrender to the tyranny of the urgent. Guess what, your kids can fend for themselves now and then. Your wife or husband can do a chore, make the grilled cheese, do the dishes so you can write.

Know what else? There is NOTHING on TV more valuable than your own goal and gifts. Nothing.

Find a way to log your 10,000 hours. Make it happen. I bet the Lord will breathe on your efforts and long before you hit 10K, He’ll break in. Even if He doesn’t, trust that He is working in and through you.

For me, I’d logged my 10K writing hours, but I’d not committed wholeheartedly to being a writer. I’d mull over in my head “What else can I do to earn a living?” While I had a nice corporate job, I began to consider learning a trade so I could be more flexible with my time.

When I made the commitment to give myself to writing, asking the Lord to confirm “the work of my hands,” He began to open doors.

There are writers who penned 5, 10, 20 novels over the same amount of years before landing their first contract. Do not give up.

Keep writing.

I know it’s hard. I know it’s discouraging. And true, not every writer will make it in the traditionally published world. Not every hockey player goes pro. Not every regularly playing bar band becomes the Beatles.

But this I do know, if you’re not writing, publishing is just a fantasy.  Empty words.

Find the time.

Get up early. Stay up late. Change the way the household runs at night. Did you know you can turn off all the electronic devices and have “reading” time with the kids? Or quiet game time? I grew up in a house of 5 kids. Trust me. I know the house can be calm and organized.

I’m not busting your chops. I’m trying to get you motivated. I’m trying to encourage you. Don’t despise the time it takes to get to where you want to be. Even our fast paced, modern world, we still have to JOURNEY to our destinations. We’ve not yet mastered a “Beam me up, Scotty” mode of transporation.

Start logging your 10k hours. See what God will do!

***

Best-selling, award-winning author Rachel Hauck loves a great story. She excels in seeing the deeper layers of a story. With a love for teaching and mentoring, Rachel comes alongside writers to help them craft their novel. A worship leader, board member of ACFW and popular writing teacher, Rachel is the author of over 15 novels. She lives in Florida with her husband and her dog, Lola. Contact her at: Rachel@mybooktherapy.com.