Progress Report

What Is “Deliberate Practice” (and am I doing it)?

Everyone talks a good game about the essential ingredients for mastery (myself included) -- there's "deliberate practice," and "10,000 hours,"  etc.  But I ask of you,* and with the utmost sincerity:

What exactly-- specifically and punctiliously**-- is this "deliberate practice?"

Does this all count towards my 10,000 hours?

I just started reading Talent is Overrated by Geoff Colvin, which seems like it could answer my questions.

I can tell you that I feel mentally fatigued at the end of each day.  I want the lights dimmed and no loud noises.  This is a particular challenge when you're living with teenagers.  My son told me the other night that I'm acting like Cromwell (he wouldn't allow "merrymaking" and made everyone wear black).

Maybe I'm just not cut out for this.  Maybe the SAT really is for young people -- like what they say about having babies.

If this is anything like the marathon, I did not fare well when I ran my one and only. You know how some people just pick up and get on with their lives like it was nothing?  That was not me. It did me in; I never ran again.

Maybe it's the adult pressures on top of the SATs.  I don't want to cook and pay bills -- and I don't want to take another full, timed practice test -- which PWN says I must do before the next real SAT (Oct. 1).

Here's what I know:

All those theories about learning and mastery feel much different down here in the trenches. (just sayin')

*The most valuable "you," for me, is the "you" who's been down here in the trenches.

**Yes, I keep repeating this word.  It's my new favorite -- replacing jejune -- and topping my list of words to bring back in rotation.

 

Illustrations by Jennifer Orkin Lewis

 
3 Comments
 
 
  • Rogerssim

    Debbie, Deliberate Practice is not running over stuff you already know and are comfortable with, but is the practice you do when you push yourself into the unknown and the uncomfortable.  I think your question setting is an example of Deliberate Practice as you are putting yourself in the Examiner's frame of mind, not the student's and seeking to think like an examiner can only aid your progress.  Do not go over and over the stuff you already know as not only will this bore the living daylights out of you, but you won't learn anything new - If you've read anything of Timothy Galwey's Inner Game series of books he'll advise on practicising a certain technique and concentration on stretching yourself and putting out of your mind the ego's desire to be a success - keep making mistakes until you get it right.

    To game the test it's useful to be aware of the shape and stresses of it so timed testing is helpful, but not to the same extent as  pushing yourself past your current abilities.  If you train with weights now, when the time comes to take the test you will fly.  Above all, don't try to be too puritanical about it - the brain needs rest, so give it rest.  You should be concentrating on getting your body and mind tapered, like your former marathon training, to peak on the day of the test: if you push yourself too much now, you won't last the distance.  Pace yourself.  Encourage play.  Seek enjoyment.  Flagellation is for failures.  Reward yourself for continual improvement and look at the long term picture.  P.S. Have you checked out theenergyproject.com/blog for tips on getting the best performance out of yourself?

    • http://www.perfectscoreproject.com Debbie Stier

      This is so helpful -- and maybe the universe is in cahoots with you because I've been derailed (SAT wise) at every turn since I wrote that post. Have not been able to do a thing, despite my best intentions and obsessive nature (don't ask -- but let's just leave it at teenage girls can give the most determined mom a run for her money).

      I have finally given in and am currently sitting in a cafe on Arthur Ave (the Bronx) drinking coffee and hearing the message that has placed itself in my way: relax and do something else.

      I haven't read the blog you mention below, but I will.

      Is the Inner Game the same as the Inner Game of Tennis? It is, right? And if so, I read it at about the same time that I first took the SAT (ie 1985). But I read it through a tennis lens (not an SAT one). Maybe it's time to re-visit. It actually came up in something else I read. Maybe Choke?

      Anyway, thanks for the great comment and info.

  • Pingback: Deliberate Practice ISN’T What Most of Us Do When We’re “Practicing” | Perfect Score Project

 

posted 241 days ago

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