The Beginner Dog

I have two dogs. They get daily neighborhood walks; on the weekend I take them for longer hikes. As much as possible I try to let them off leash so they can be dogs and really run.

Each time we go out for a walk or hike, they are very excited. One of them can hardly contain himself – whines, barks, can barely sit still. Once the door is opened they are ready to bolt and run! Of course most dogs are excited to get outside and go for a walk.

Still I’m amazed every time. They are so excited even when it’s a walk or a place we’ve gone before. I know they know the place because they have favorite spots they like to go themselves, and still they’re excited. On leash or off, they are taking sniffing every spot they can, running in circles. Off leash they shoot off in every direction.

What this reminds me of is the Zen Buddhist concept of beginner’s mind. It’s the idea of approaching everything with a newness and freshness, with a lack of preconceived ideas, with a new attitude, even when it’s something that’s been seen or done before. I appreciate how dogs just do this.

It’s a reminder to me on the hikes and walks as well to keep paying attention to the dogs, and still appreciate and enjoy where I am.

What's your fun?

Here's a clip from 60 minutes with a story and interview about a 13 year old who was diagnosed with Autism at age 2, but through continued efforts of his parents and fostering his interest in science, he has more or less moved pass the autistic symptons. It's quite a remarkable story, not only because of the turnaround but becaue he's now, at 13, a sophomore in college.

My favorite part of the interview by Mike Wallace is about four and half minutes into the clip:

• Wallace: What do you do you for fun?
• Jake: When it doesn’t involve academics?
• Wallace: Beyond the academics?
• Jake (smirk): Does looking up space articles online count?
• Wallace: <laughter>

Jake is both completely aware of what he enjoys and that it's likely different from what might be considered a normal 'fun' activity. He is also completing accepting of it, he doesn't hide it. It's part of who he is.

So what's your fun? That is putting aside any judgment, any ideas of what normal might be.  Maybe collecting quirky salt and pepper shakers, or reading Vogue cover to cover every month (and you're a guy :-), or perhaps number and letter games with license plates (me).

What's your true fun?

10,000 hours

If you read material about creativity or genius, there is a common concensus that the foundation of extraordinary creativity or genius is about 10,000 hours of study and practice (there are other pieces to this, but I'm focusing on the hours for now). That's just to establish the foundation of knowledge and experience. The learning still continues and that's also when there is more opportunity for new thinking and new opportunities because of that basis.

Here's some perspective on that number. If a student completes the United State primary education system (K-12), they will have spent about 10,000 hours in a classroom or with homework. In reality that time is establishing a foundation for the rest of their lives. It would be difficult to get very far without that foundation.

Our basic four years of college is only about 3000-4000 hours of classroom time and study. 120 credits is typical 4 year program with each credit representing about 15 hours of classroom time. On top of that basic 1800 hours of classroom time is homework.

The schooling and training needed to be a doctor or earn a Ph.D. is usually 5 years of even more intense study. This is getting near the 10,000 hours as the foundation for a subject of study.

Here are a few other ways to look at 10,000 hours:
- That's 5 years of working full-time, 40 hours a week.
- At 20 hours a week or practice at anything, it would take 10 years to establish that foundation.
- Finally at just 10 hours a week, the time extends out to 20 years!

Everyone who decides to pursue a career as a lawyer or doctor, or pursue a Ph.D. knows that amount of time that is involved and they are willing to put that in. I wonder if everyone knew this number, what they'd think about their chosen career or hobby? Or How many people are truly willing to put in that much time and effort over an extended period of years to achieve that foundation of knowledge and experience?

What this does show though is that consistency and effort does pay off. It just takes time like anything else!