5 Tips for effective practice
Repetition is the key to unlocking your potential
According to dictionary.com, the definition of ‘practise’ is “repeated performance or systematic exercise for the purpose of acquiring skill or proficiency”. In other words, practise is the repetition of an action in order to improve whatever it is you’re wanting to improve; for example, improving an existing skill, or acquiring a new skill or habit.
The following TEDEducation video (see link at the bottom of this article) explains clearly how practice and repetition essentially form a ‘superhighway’ for information connecting your brain to your muscles, allowing us to perform with more ease, speed and confidence.
And, contrary to popular ‘armchair psychology’, there is no secret formula to the amount of practice or repetition needed to master a skill. Mastery isn’t simply about the number of hours, days, weeks or years of practice, but it’s also about the quality and effectiveness of that practice.
5 tips for effective practice (see video for further details):
- Focus on the task
- Minimise distractions
- Start slowly
- Frequent repetition with breaks
- Practice in your mind in vivid detail – a number of research studies show that mental practices are almost effective as true physical practice, and that doing both is more effective than either alone (see https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/flourish/200912/seeing-is-believing-the-power-visualization)
So, if you want to learn a new skill or habit, start slowly, and repeat, repeat, repeat. Practice makes perfect. And, don’t forget to visualise your performance, in as much detail as possible, because you’re also training your brain during that mental rehearsal.
“Repetition is the mother of learning, the father of action, which makes it the architect of accomplishment.” Zig Ziglar.
TEDEducation video link: https://www.facebook.com/TEDEducation/videos/1489398127740055/
Photo by Alvaro Reyes on Unsplash
Dr Marcelle Crinean, PhD, owner and director of Brain Reframe, is a highly qualified therapist, coach and lecturer.
In her busy practice, Marcelle successfully treats sleep and stress-related issues (including insomnia, anxiety and depression) as well as disordered eating, binge-eating and undereating. She regularly holds workshops and webinars, and trains business executives across the UK and Europe in the art of sleep and stress management.