Contrary to popular belief, it's not always talent that makes one successful, but rather the effort and practice put forth that can make a person great.
Have you ever seen a kid who enjoys sports practice every opportunity he gets? You'll likely notice him get progressively better and soon become pretty good. Coincidence? Not likely.
If you dedicate three hours a day to something, it will still take you nearly 10 years to become an expert. So how do you dedicate enough time to become really good at something? It's easy... make your job something you enjoy doing.
While the amount of time it takes to become an expert may remain debatable, nearly everyone can agree that the secret to success isn't a secret at all. It's work.
For more information on Malcolm Gladwell's work, visit his website: http://www.gladwell.com/outliers/