I saw a video that discussed how habits and mastery are developed over time. It mentioned that to become an expert at something, it takes 18 minutes of practice per day for three months. To achieve mastery, you'd need to commit to 18 minutes daily for a year. And to build the habit and stick with the routine, you need to be consistent for at least 21 days.
And that’s the formula to keep in mind if you want to learn something you see as a long-term endeavor—whether it’s music, art, sports, or any other area of your life. If you think about it, that formula simplifies the process so others can easily understand how progress really works.
Do you remember the 365-day photography challenge?
Sounds familiar, right? They say that if you manage to take a photo every day for a year, you’ll become a master of your craft by the end of it. And honestly, that’s true. I’ve seen this kind of growth in photographers who took on the challenge. There’s a noticeable difference between the photos they captured in the early days compared to the ones at the end.
It doesn’t have to be perfect on day one of the 365. In fact, the earlier photos usually look like typical beginner work—but growth starts to show halfway through the journey. The improvement in their angles, framing, composition, and storytelling becomes so much clearer as they progress. By the end, their work often reaches the level of seasoned professional photographers.
So if you're thinking of starting something new, just remember—it only takes 18 minutes a day to begin your journey. Mastery isn't about perfection from the start, but the growth you earn by showing up every day.
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