Why Practice Is Your Secret Weapon

Ever heard the saying, "Practice makes perfect"? Well, turns out, it's not just some old phrase – it's the real deal when it comes to mastering anything!

Malcolm Gladwell mentioned in his book Outliers the famous 10,000-hour rule. He suggests that it takes approximately 10,000 hours of dedicated practice to achieve mastery in a particular field. He says,

“Practice isn't the thing you do once you're good. It's the thing you do that makes you good.”

However, author Josh Kaufman, who wrote the book "The First 20 Hours: How to Learn Anything... Fast!" challenges this notion, citing how 20 dedicated and focused hours in a month is more than enough to pick up and develop a skill. He explains, 

"It takes 10,000 hours to achieve mastery in a field. But it only takes 20 hours to get good enough to be significantly better than most people."

Whatever the number that is, the gist is the same: practice, practice, and more practice! How are we, as parents, teaching our children this essential life lesson?

Picture this. Your child has a piano concert at school next month. How would you, as a parent, inspire your child to use the time they have, along with the skills they have acquired, to get better at that? Does it involve rigorous practice or smart practice that involves more analysis and introspection? Let’s find out.

Why should we practice?

Now, let's talk school smarts. Here's why practicing is a game-changer

1. Smart Practice = Smart Results

When you manage your practice time with focus and intention, you sharpen your learning process and accelerate progress. Directed effort ensures that every practice session contributes meaningfully to your skill development, leading to quicker and more impactful results.

2. Practice creates “Magic”

Practice so much, and guess what? You'll start soaking up stuff like a sponge, even without trying! It's like how you can walk or cook without thinking too hard about it. Even short practice sessions make your brain more flexible, helping you remember and use information way better.

3. Discipline Booster

Practicing regularly isn’t just about the subject—it's about building killer discipline, setting goals, and sticking to them. Help children by setting up a routine and helping them stick to it. As author Charles Duhigg says ‘

"Habits are the little invisible wires that tie us to our past and pull us towards our future."

As Steve Jobs once said, 

"The master has failed more times than the beginner has even tried”.

It’s okay to aim for perfection, but don’t let that stop you from making a start. Practice is not a chore; it's an adventure, a journey of self-discovery and growth. As parents, we can encourage our children to embrace practice, providing them with opportunities to explore, experiment, and refine their skills. By nurturing their passion for practice, we set them on a path to lifelong learning and success.

Whether you're acing a sport, perfecting an art, or owning your school game, practice is the key.

More curious? We loved these TED Talks, and we are sure you will too.