Horace Dediu on becoming an expert:

The path to becoming an expert is never clear. The way to think about it is this: Ask your parents what it was that they did to make you a great son or daughter. Most parents don’t have a clear map on how to build a family. Building great families, careers or businesses are similar empirical endeavors in that it takes constant trial and error and infinite patience.

Similarly, ask an athlete what is the formula for athleticism. It’s has something to do with talent but more than likely it’s constant practice and attention to detail. Most overnight successes took a lifetime of preparation.

Expert System – Asymco