The surprising path to mastering something - David Epstein episode artwork

EPISODE · May 18, 2026 · 7 MIN

The surprising path to mastering something - David Epstein

from TED-Ed · host TED-Ed

Are we building skills the wrong way? Explore how having a wide range of experience can be better than early specialization.--There’s a common idea that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become great at something. From an early age, we are encouraged to choose our path, focus specifically, and start racking up those hours. But, what if these head starts aren’t helping us the way we think they do? What if there’s a better way to excel? David Epstein shares how a different approach could set us up for greater success.Directed by Avi Ofer.This is an animated adaptation of a TEDx Talk given by David Epstein. You can watch the talk in full here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6lBtiQZShoEducation is the ultimate idea worth spreading. That’s why we’ve launched InnovaTED — a program that helps educators develop their brightest ideas and share them with the world. Learn more: https://ed.ted.com/edtalksSupport Our Non-Profit Mission----------------------------------------------Support us on Patreon: http://bit.ly/TEDEdPatreonCheck out our merch: http://bit.ly/TEDEDShop----------------------------------------------Connect With Us----------------------------------------------Sign up for our newsletter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdNewsletterFollow us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/TEDEdFacebookFind us on Twitter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdTwitterPeep us on Instagram: http://bit.ly/TEDEdInstagram----------------------------------------------Keep Learning----------------------------------------------View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-best-way-to-become-good-at-something-might-surprise-you-david-epsteinDig deeper with additional resources: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-best-way-to-become-good-at-something-might-surprise-you-david-epstein/digdeeperAnimator's website: https://aviofer.comEducator's website: https://www.youtube.com/@UCab3eZ-9h8YQU8qCQzZwCew ----------------------------------------------Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Niccolò Frassetto, Mana, I'm here because of Knowledge Fight Facebook group., Linda Freedman, Edgardo Cuellar, Jaspar Carmichael-Jack, Michael Burton, VIVIANA A GARCIA BESNE, The Vernon's, Olha Bahatiuk, Jesús Bíquez Talayero, Chels Raknrl, Sai Pranavi Jonnalagadda, Stuart Rice, Jing Chen, Vector-Dopamine math, Jasper Song, Giorgio Bugnatelli, Chardon, Eddy Trochez, OnlineBookClub.org, Eric Shear, Leith Salem, Omar Hicham, Adrian Rotaru, Brad Sullivan, Karen Ho, Niklas Frimberger, Hunter Manhart, Nathan Nguyen, Igor Stavchanskiy, James R DeVries, Grace Huo, Diana Huang, Chau Hong Diem, Orlellys Torre, Corheu, Thomas Mee, Maryann H McCrory, Blas Borde, John Hellmann, Poompak Meephian, Chuck Wofford, Adam Pagan, Wes Winn, Conder Shou, ntiger, Noname, Hansan Hu, and David D. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are we building skills the wrong way? Explore how having a wide range of experience can be better than early specialization.--There’s a common idea that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become great at something. From an early age, we are encouraged to choose our path, focus specifically, and start racking up those hours. But, what if these head starts aren’t helping us the way we think they do? What if there’s a better way to excel? David Epstein shares how a different approach could set us up for greater success.Directed by Avi Ofer.This is an animated adaptation of a TEDx Talk given by David Epstein. You can watch the talk in full here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6lBtiQZShoEducation is the ultimate idea worth spreading. That’s why we’ve launched InnovaTED — a program that helps educators develop their brightest ideas and share them with the world. Learn more: https://ed.ted.com/edtalksSupport Our Non-Profit Mission----------------------------------------------Support us on Patreon: http://bit.ly/TEDEdPatreonCheck out our merch: http://bit.ly/TEDEDShop----------------------------------------------Connect With Us----------------------------------------------Sign up for our newsletter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdNewsletterFollow us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/TEDEdFacebookFind us on Twitter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdTwitterPeep us on Instagram: http://bit.ly/TEDEdInstagram----------------------------------------------Keep Learning----------------------------------------------View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-best-way-to-become-good-at-something-might-surprise-you-david-epsteinDig deeper with additional resources: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-best-way-to-become-good-at-something-might-surprise-you-david-epstein/digdeeperAnimator's website: https://aviofer.comEducator's website: https://www.youtube.com/@UCab3eZ-9h8YQU8qCQzZwCew ----------------------------------------------Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Niccolò Frassetto, Mana, I'm here because of Knowledge Fight Facebook group., Linda Freedman, Edgardo Cuellar, Jaspar Carmichael-Jack, Michael Burton, VIVIANA A GARCIA BESNE, The Vernon's, Olha Bahatiuk, Jesús Bíquez Talayero, Chels Raknrl, Sai Pranavi Jonnalagadda, Stuart Rice, Jing Chen, Vector-Dopamine math, Jasper Song, Giorgio Bugnatelli, Chardon, Eddy Trochez, OnlineBookClub.org, Eric Shear, Leith Salem, Omar Hicham, Adrian Rotaru, Brad Sullivan, Karen Ho, Niklas Frimberger, Hunter Manhart, Nathan Nguyen, Igor Stavchanskiy, James R DeVries, Grace Huo, Diana Huang, Chau Hong Diem, Orlellys Torre, Corheu, Thomas Mee, Maryann H McCrory, Blas Borde, John Hellmann, Poompak Meephian, Chuck Wofford, Adam Pagan, Wes Winn, Conder Shou, ntiger, Noname, Hansan Hu, and David D. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The surprising path to mastering something - David Epstein

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This episode was published on May 18, 2026.

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Are we building skills the wrong way? Explore how having a wide range of experience can be better than early specialization.--There’s a common idea that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become great at something. From an early age, we are...

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