Practice? We Talkin' About Practice!

Quote of the Week:

"There's a guy in my head, and all he wants to do is lay in bed all day long, smoke pot, and watch old movies and cartoons. My life is a series of stratagems, to avoid, and outwit that guy" - Anthony Bourdain

Content of the Week:

Let's talk about the concept of deliberate practice! While "regular" practice often involves repetitive and mindless actions, "deliberate" practice is characterized by a more focused, purposeful, and systematic approach. It demands additional thought, planning, and a specific goal. Essentially, it requires more effort, which is why many of us stick to the routine of "regular" practice. In these routine sessions, we tend to mindlessly repeat actions, often overlooking minor errors. These seemingly small errors, however, accumulate over time and make the difference between being good and being great.

The danger lies in assuming improvement while merely going through the motions. Reflect on it: you tie your shoes every day, but can you honestly say you've improved at it over the last year? My guess is probably not.

I'm realizing this difference as I continue to learn how to play the guitar. For the first 4 months,  I simply positioned my fingers in the correct place (or as close as possible) and strummed away. I learned a little bit, but my progress wasn't impressive. Over the past two weeks, I enrolled in a course to enhance my guitar skills. I've committed to deliberate practice, and I've started making real progress. I've started switching chords and strumming to the beat. While guitar is just a fun hobby, it does remind me of the significance of deliberate practice. Whether it's a hobby or a serious pursuit, improving demands focus, a structured approach, and clear goals.

Big Questions of the Week:

In what aspect of your life are you just "going through the motions" (i.e., regular practice)? What can you do this week to be more deliberate in your practice?

Photo of the Week:

Huckleberry has stopped running away from the guitar and now hangs out in the room! She still gives me a look whenever I really screw up a cord though…

Till next week, be kind, be curious and work hard. 

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