Simply put, there’s a difference between doing things you already know
how to do and doing things that force you to stretch and improve your
skills.
To get better—and win the promotions and opportunities
most of us dream about—we must set out to intentionally improve our
performance. In studying why some people develop remarkable careers,
this is a key unheralded distinction between the average knowledge
worker and the stars at most companies: the former work hard while the
latter systematically practice hard skills --this type of structured
activity is called deliberate practice!!
1) Deliberate practice
requires clarity. Set a clear goal slightly beyond your current
abilities, but not too far beyond, and list specific actions that
advance you toward your goal.
2) Deliberate practice requires
feedback. Assuming you don’t reach your goal on the first try, you need a
source of objective feedback so that you can improve on your next
iteration. Without frank, even harsh, feedback, your progress will
likely stall.
3) Deliberate practice is unpleasant. You have
to stretch yourself beyond where you’re currently comfortable—not a
pleasant feeling. To make deliberate practice work, you must not only
tolerate unpleasantness (and stick with the task, regardless of your
urge for relieving distraction), but learn to seek it, like a
bodybuilder seeks muscle burn.
True standouts systematically
develop rare and valuable skills. Building these skills requires
practice, and it is not something that you gravitate toward naturally.
how to do and doing things that force you to stretch and improve your
skills.
To get better—and win the promotions and opportunities
most of us dream about—we must set out to intentionally improve our
performance. In studying why some people develop remarkable careers,
this is a key unheralded distinction between the average knowledge
worker and the stars at most companies: the former work hard while the
latter systematically practice hard skills --this type of structured
activity is called deliberate practice!!
1) Deliberate practice
requires clarity. Set a clear goal slightly beyond your current
abilities, but not too far beyond, and list specific actions that
advance you toward your goal.
2) Deliberate practice requires
feedback. Assuming you don’t reach your goal on the first try, you need a
source of objective feedback so that you can improve on your next
iteration. Without frank, even harsh, feedback, your progress will
likely stall.
3) Deliberate practice is unpleasant. You have
to stretch yourself beyond where you’re currently comfortable—not a
pleasant feeling. To make deliberate practice work, you must not only
tolerate unpleasantness (and stick with the task, regardless of your
urge for relieving distraction), but learn to seek it, like a
bodybuilder seeks muscle burn.
True standouts systematically
develop rare and valuable skills. Building these skills requires
practice, and it is not something that you gravitate toward naturally.
Melvin,
ReplyDeleteI recently attended a Data Center conference in Seattle where you were one of the guest speakers. I certainly enjoyed the banter between you and David McCall. I read this blog and it made me think of many areas for my life and most of all it made me think of doing pottery which I took up about 6 months ago as a way of reducing stress and becoming more centered. I started out slow with many frustrating failures along the way with small dishes, graduating to cups, bowls and pots. I have watched countless youtube videos, practiced into the late hours of the night, but I haven't set the next goal, perhaps a teapot. Maybe because I have become comfortable with the level of relaxation that I have achieved. This doesn't mean that I don't want to progress, but I just want to slow down for a while.
Looking at your many success's throughout your life, what do you say to yourself that makes you want to continue to strive for greatness and to continue to make the contributions to society and technology that you do?
Best Regards,
Jason Cohn