Deep practice, done consistently over a long time, is what makes your skills show up on command. In this episode, I answer whether practice makes perfect or perfect practice makes perfect, and explain why office time is game time, why repetition builds skill, and why playing the long game beats short bursts.
Key Takeaways
- Work is game time. Practice happens outside the office.
- Repetition is the mother of skill. Do it over and over until it is automatic.
- Deep practice means stretching just beyond your comfort zone, with small incremental progress.
- Commit at least 90 days to a skill, and play the long game.
Does Practice Make Perfect?
There is a distinction between practicing and executing. When you are in the office doing your work, that is not practice, that is game time. Practice is what you do outside of the office, whether daily or weekly, to stay sharp.
When it is time to execute, you do not have time to practice. You use everything you have built behind the scenes, so you can do it on a dime.
Why Is Repetition So Important?
Repetition is the mother of skill. The more you do something over and over, the more automatic it becomes, until your brain almost instructs your body what to do.
You can simulate circumstances by reading, writing down principles and going over them again, or by repeating a skill in a program like InDesign. Doing something once is not enough; do it over a sustained period.
Even after you graduate or get the job, the work gets bigger. You still have to keep developing your skill and knowledge.
What Is Deep Practice?
Deep practice is a sweet spot between your comfort zone and just beyond it. It takes more focus than normal, and that is how skills grow like a muscle.
You do not need leaps and bounds. Make incremental progress and learn information in chunks.
My rule of thumb is 90 days. When I am learning something, I commit at least 90 days, even if I am refreshing something I know. It gives you time to get into a focused state and leaves room for a buffer.
How Much Should You Practice?
Top athletes practice about three hours a day, every day, but you do not have to. Sixty minutes or half an hour with breaks still makes progress. What matters is the depth of practice.
Compare two people. One practices three hours three times a week for six months and stops. The other practices one hour five days a week for two years. The second goes further. Play the long game and stay committed to the outcome.
I use a road trip as a metaphor: things happen on the way to California, but you still make it to your destination if you keep your focus on the outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is work the same as practice?
No. Work is game time, when you execute. Practice is what you do outside of work to stay sharp.
How long should I commit to learning a skill?
I commit at least 90 days to a skill or study, even if I am refreshing something I already know.
Do I need to practice three hours a day?
No. Elite athletes may, but sixty minutes or half an hour with breaks still makes progress when the practice is deep.
The Short Long Of It
Practice outside the office so you perform on command inside it. Stretch just past your comfort zone, repeat, and stay in the long game.
Suggested Reading
- 12 Graphic Design Secrets That Will Make You A Pro In No Time
- 10 Creative Hacks for Artists & Designers
- 4 Principles of Graphic Design Layout
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