As Ericsson and Robert Pool discuss in their book Peak, two factors contribute to mastery: hours of repetition, yes, but more important, what Ericsson coined deliberate practice. Individuals who progress the most meticulously assess outcomes, solicit feedback based on known standards of excellence, and strive to correct tiny flaws that the feedback has uncovered.6 This purposeful and informed way of practicing explains why some learn at a much faster rate than others.
