EXPOSE | So close, yet so far away
“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.” – Jimmy Johnson
EXPLORE | Identify a skill, practice intentionally
You may be familiar with the fact that when NBA superstar Michael Jordan was in high school, he didn’t make the varsity basketball team in his sophomore year.
But through diligent practice and refinement of fundamentals, he not only made the team the next year, but went on to become one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
His intense practice regimen enabled him to develop unmatched skills on the court. Jordan embodies the rewards of focused practice and continual improvement.
Like Jordan, we too can take our skills to their highest level through effective learning and practice.
Malcolm Gladwell is a popular author and speaker who has written about the importance of practice. In his book Outliers, Gladwell argues that the key to success is not talent, but deliberate practice.
Gladwell defines deliberate practice as a “highly focused effort that is specifically designed to improve performance.” He argues that deliberate practice is essential for developing expertise in any field.
“Practice isn’t the thing you do once you’re good. It’s the thing you do that makes you good.”
– Malcolm Gladwell, Outliers
Malcolm’s research shows that the most successful people in the world are not necessarily the most talented. They are the people who are willing to put in the hard work and practice to develop their skills.
His message is simple: if you want to be successful, you need to practice deliberately.
“The key to pursuing excellence is to embrace an organic, long-term learning process, and not to live in a shell of static, safe mediocrity. Usually, growth comes at the expense of previous comfort or safety.”
– Josh Waitzkin, The Art of Learning
Skill development is a journey that begins with learning the basics and gradually mastering them. Whether it’s career-oriented, spiritual disciplines, or mastering a sport, having a skill means reaching a level of mastery and fluidity only achieved through dedicated practice.
EXECUTE | Decide on a skill, and practice it effectively
What you decide to become proficient at really comes down to two things: a like-to-have or a must-have.
There are those skills that you would like to develop that are largely driven by interest or personal passion, or, you’re realizing that either your current career path requires it or that you personally need to acquire a skill (or two) to better your mind, body, or soul.
I believe the best advice would be to start with the “must-have” skills. Of course, we’re here talking about becoming wise, so I do recommend “deliberate practice” of those things that will help you “handle like skillfully.”
What is it that you need to develop further?
Once you’ve chosen a skill, here is an outlined approach to laying a strong foundation for the early stages of developing that skill:
- Start Simple: Focus on mastering the fundamentals before advancing. Break the skill into manageable components.
- Self-Study: Utilize books, online tutorials, and educational videos to understand techniques and concepts.
- Language and Terminology: Every skill has its unique language. Master it to fully grasp instructions.
- Equipment and Tools: Familiarize yourself with any necessary gear or technology.
- Expert Instruction: Seek out classes or mentors to ensure a solid start.
Effective practice is the key to long-term skill improvement. These research-backed methods will help you build on the foundation you’ve laid to create the habit of skill development:
- Specific, Measurable Goals: Set clear objectives and track your progress. For example, aim to complete a task without errors.
- Daily Focused Practice: Consistent, daily sessions are more effective than cramming. Keep sessions to about an hour at most.
- Variation in Practice: Avoid monotony by incorporating different exercises and settings into your practice routine.
- Realistic Simulation: Whenever possible, practice under conditions that resemble the actual situation. For instance, rehearse your speech at a lectern if you’ll be speaking on stage.
- Tackle Challenges: Prioritize the aspects of the skill you find challenging rather than repeating what you already excel at.
- Evaluate and Adjust: After practice sessions, analyze your performance, identify mistakes, and reflect on adjustments for the next session.
- Time Between Sessions: Allow intervals between practice sessions to let your brain consolidate what you’ve learned.
This final phase is crucial for ongoing success in effectively maintaining and using your skills. Keep your skills sharp with:
- Regular, Shorter Practice: Don’t cease practice once you’ve reached your desired level. Consistent, shorter practice sessions are key.
- Advanced Instruction: Beyond the basics, seek advanced classes to refine your technique.
- Community Engagement: Join a community of like-minded individuals to stay motivated and inspired.
- Teach Others: Teaching reinforces your own knowledge and skills.
- Creative Application: Explore innovative ways to apply your skills, keeping them engaging and fresh.
- Learn from Masters: Continuously learn from experts in the field, observing their techniques and approaches.
Mastering a skill requires dedication and strategic practice. These (very briefly stated) research-backed methods, will provide you a framework to effectively learn, practice, and maintain your skills, to not only unlock new possibilities (musical instrument? new language?), but help us remain persistent in being better about being better.
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Further reading:
How to learn and practice skills in the most effective way
Two kinds of practice
How to become a more effective learner
Breaking down a skill and practicing effectively
The effective way to practice new skills
How to master a new skill
Guide to deliberate practice
The science of how to practice a skill effectively
Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash