Practice makes perfect

In the world we live in today, it’s mostly about quick results and instant satisfaction.  We’re always on the go, with something we must do urgently.  We seem to have forgotten some of the good values our parents preached and practised.  One of the most important of these values is to keep on practising until we get it right.

Most of our parents are typical of the Baby Boomer Generation – hard-working individuals motivated by position and status.  They often show greater dedication to their jobs than to their families.  While not all of these traits can be viewed as positive, there’s a lot to be learned from Baby Boomer dedication.

The fast paced, tech-savvy world of today is typical of Generation Y which began in the mid-1980s. These are the people that form the bulk of the lower level employees and managers of today.  For this generation, results are important and they need to be achieved quickly. They are not necessarily prepared to put in hard work, but rather want to use technology and easy access to information to get the job done.

Don’t get me wrong, I believe that technology should be used as much as possible.  However, access to information is no substitute for experience. If you read Malcom Gladwell’s book Outliers, you’ll be familiar with the 10 000 hour rule.  According to him, it takes that many hours of practice to become an expert at something. This is true whether you’re practising to play golf well or to become an accountant.

It’s very similar to the difference between technical knowledge and on the job experience.  You can read books about playing golf, watch videos about golf on the Internet and even walk with someone while they play a round of golf – but it does not mean that you are able to play golf.  And even after you’ve played golf a couple of times, you’ll probably still not get it right.  But as you practise, you start getting better.

We should think about our careers like sportsmen do at the highest level. We need the utmost dedication in order to achieve glory. When at work, we need to look for opportunities to practice new skills, to look for new experiences and to keep our minds open to learning from those around us.

It seems to me that many people go to work with their eyes closed.  It’s almost as if they just shut down and wait for someone else to tell them what to do. They’re not aware of the opportunities that are presented every day if they are willing to seize them.  What would your reaction be if you saw a player on your favourite sports team playing in this mediocre, unengaged way?

Take a minute to stop and consider your position in the organisation in which you’re employed.  In any business, there are always countless challenges to overcome, but it’s critical to remain aware of the opportunities. Think about what you can do to make your business better, as this will also improve your own experience.  The only way to get 10 000 hours of practice is to put in the time.

There’s a saying that I believe is very true.  It is “Nothing that’s worthwhile comes easily.”  There are many lessons that we must still learn and experiences that we must live. Each one of these brings us closer to being professional in what we do. We need to keep on practising.

In the words of Thomas Edison, “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up.  The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”