The project

Talent has little to do with success according to research conducted by Dr. K. Anders Ericsson a theory I first came across through reading Outlier by Malcolm Gladwell. The theory being that elite performers engage in ‘deliberate practice’–an focused activity designed to improve target performance. This principal is behind the 10,000 hour theory.

I furthered my investigation into this by looking into other practitioners of this theory and came across thedanplan, amongst others, who also wanted to prove from novice golfer to PGA tour professional.

That got me thinking what could I apply? My strengths are that I am a problem solver, a software developer and have a passion for video games. I therefore formulated this project to give myself a five year goal to achieve my dream of owning my own gaming studio, paying off my mortgage and funding private education for my children.

The coming hours, weeks, months and years will be documented as a means of diarising my activity and seeing if the 10,000 hour theory can be applied to such a concept.

So what is the timeline to this plan?  It is to achieve the result of my plan within 5 years i.e. by my 40th birthday.

The plan is loose at the moment but it is as follows:

• Work to a six day plan
• Year's 1 and 2 to work 3 hours a day, 6 days a week
• Year's 3 to 5 to work 8.5 hours a week over 6 days

This will provide me with the framework to achieve the 10,000 hours by my 40th birthday. So what metrics will denote success?

• Year 1: To have a number one category application (iphone, ipad) in an established market
• Year 2: To have a number one app in an established market and by the end of the two years to be able to give up job and go full-time
• Year 3: Establish and maintain full-time position.  Have another number one app in an established market
• Year 4: Financially rewarded by paying off mortgage
• Year 5: Financially rewarded by affording to privately educate my children

Ambitious, I know, but the principals that I have read into the 10,000 hour theory are examples of people dedicating their time to one goal whether it be to play golf on the PGA tour, the become a chess master or play an instrument but ultimately to do things they always wanted to do. In this instance I go back to why I went into programming in the first place and that was to get into game development while the proverbial carrot of financial reward is there.

The journey will be interesting for me and hopefully I can build up a community that not only supports and offers advice for me but in turn provides motivation to do the same.