You’ve heard it before… “Practice Makes Perfect.”
You may have heard it this way as well: “Perfect Practice Makes Perfect.”
I prefer the latter because you can definitely practice something incorrectly and get “perfect” at doing it WRONG.
But at the end of the day, it’s about making and putting in the time.
In other articles, you’ve probably seen me talk about the 10,000 hour rule. It’s true – it takes about 10,000 hours to get to a master-level at something.
And sure, you can spend time reading materials, watching dvds, listening to cds, engaging in discussions, etc… and these things all have a role in your success. But according to the study below, none of them trump “PRACTICE BY DOING.”
What this chart tells us is how effective each of the modes are at helping us retain information (“learn”).
When we’re lectured on something, we only remember 5% of what’s told to us.
When we read something, we only remember 10%. Ever read a book and a week later, can’t even remember most of what you read?
When you hear and see something, it doubles your effectiveness to 20%. When you’re demonstrated something, you’ll remember 30% of the information shared with you.
When you discuss something in a group, you’ll remember 50%. That’s why college courses often require a separate discussion meeting.
See what happens when you practice by doing? It takes your retention of what you’re practicing up to 75%.
(And there’s even a level that beats practicing. That’s when you get to the point where you can teach others. That’s when information really sticks. When you’re teaching, just remember this study and to mix up these modalities because if you stick to merely lecturing, your recipients will only remember 5% of what you say while you will be retaining 90% of what you’re teaching. Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that teaching is more beneficial to the teacher than the student. Most professors that get the big bucks get paid for their research… not for teaching us in the study hall. But when they’re teaching us, it’s only making their research that much easier. Interesting. Thus, why I love doing it so much!)
So we’re back full circle…
Ya gotta practice.
Yup, I said all that to encourage you to make a commitment to practice.
And not just practice but on a consistent basis.
One of my “6 Ps To Productive Practice” deals with “Planned Practice.”
Psychological studies prove that if you do a routine at the same time everyday, you’re more likely to stick with it. You’ve made it a habit. It’s a ritual and a part of your life.
On the other hand, if you sit down to practice whenever you want – here and there – you’re most likely to break the commitment and be unsuccessful at sticking to it.
Experts say habit formation takes about 21-30 days. And the most difficult of those days are the first 10. This is where you have to literally defy gravity.
There’s so much gravity trying to push you down. Gravity of “the way things are.” Gravity of “old ways.”
And like a space shuttle needs most of its fuel at takeoff, you’ll need most of yours to get past your current “atmosphere.”
In the beginning, do what it takes to keep the commitment. Most likely, this will be pure “will power.” But as time progresses, getting yourself to sit down and practice will become a way of life… a habit… and thus, easier to stick with.
But remember, you’ve got to do it consistently for 30 days at the same time every day to start building this momentum.
This is the key to real growth this year.
-JG
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