One of the keys to achieving mastery is deliberate practice. Deliberate practice is a lifelong effort to improve performance in a particular area. Deliberate practice isn't about running miles a day or playing the piano for 20 minutes, it requires more determination, it requires more concentration, and it makes you more miserable. Follow these steps repeatedly for 10 years, and maybe you can become a master.
- Remember, the goal of deliberate practice is to improve performance. If someone plays ping pong every week but only does the same thing every time, it won't improve even after a few years of playing, deliberate practice is about improving performance, setting new goals, trying to do better each time than last time .
- Repeat, repeat, repeat. Repetition is important. The basketball masters don't take 10 baskets after a team practice, they take 500.
- Find ways to get critical comments. If you don't know how you're doing, you won't know how you can improve.
- Pay close attention to your weaknesses. While many of us do what we are already good at, those who are better work just as hard on our weaknesses.
- Be prepared for physical and mental exhaustion. Because of this, there are very few people who can do deliberate practice, but that's why it works.