Practice More Efficiently | Deliberate Practice & Skill Improvement

Summary

This video explores why progress may seem stagnant despite continued practice and how to overcome it. It discusses learning plateaus, where improvement slows down over time, and emphasizes the importance of measuring skill correctly. The script introduces the concept of deliberate practice, which involves focusing on challenging aspects, self-evaluation, and seeking feedback. The key to improvement lies in consistent cycles of challenging practice, reflection, and expert feedback. The video encourages persistence, recognizing that improvement takes time, effort, and iterative practice.

Takeaways

• 😀 You are likely improving, even if it doesn’t feel like it. Progress isn't always linear, and initial gains often give way to slower improvements.
• 😀 Learning curves tend to flatten out over time. The same amount of effort may yield diminishing returns as you get better at something.
• 😀 Performance plateaus are normal. They occur when your brain needs time to reorganize and adapt to new learning elements.
• 😀 Sometimes you need to get worse before you get better. Short-term struggles can lead to long-term improvement.
• 😀 Accurately measuring your progress is crucial. The tools you use to track improvement may not always reflect the skills you're actually developing.
• 😀 In fields like teaching, short-term tests may not capture long-term development in students, so be aware of how you're measuring success.
• 😀 Focus on deliberate practice: practicing the skills that challenge you the most, rather than repeating what you're already good at.
• 😀 Self-evaluation is essential for growth. Experts often evaluate their performance, identify weaknesses, and adjust accordingly.
• 😀 Feedback is necessary for improvement. Without external input, it’s difficult to understand where you’re going wrong or what you need to change.
• 😀 Consistency and repetition are key. Deliberate practice is a cycle of challenging yourself, self-evaluating, and seeking feedback to improve.
• 😀 Improvement takes time and effort. Deliberate practice should feel tiring—if you're not mentally or physically drained, you're not pushing yourself enough.

Q & A

Why does it sometimes feel like we're not getting better, even after practicing for a long time?

This happens because improvement is not always linear. At the beginning, progress is rapid, but as you become more skilled, each additional hour of practice results in smaller improvements. Your brain is also reorganizing itself, making visible progress less frequent, especially during performance plateaus.

What is a performance plateau, and why does it occur?

A performance plateau occurs when your progress stalls, despite putting in more practice. It happens because your brain needs time to reorganize and adjust to new information, or you may be introducing new challenges that temporarily slow down performance. This is a normal part of the learning process.

How does the concept of linear change in learning differ from the actual learning curve?

The idea of linear change suggests that the more time you practice, the better you become at the same rate. However, the real learning curve is more complex, with rapid improvements early on, followed by slower, smaller gains as you reach higher levels of skill.

How can we measure our skill accurately, especially in areas where there's no clear rating system?

Measuring skill can be tricky, especially in fields like teaching or creative arts. In some cases, like chess, clear metrics like Elo ratings exist, but in other fields, you may need to assess your progress through feedback, long-term results, or through self-evaluation, rather than relying on immediate measures.

What role does self-evaluation play in improving skills?

Self-evaluation is critical because it allows you to identify what went well and where you need to improve. Experts regularly assess their own performance, which helps them pinpoint weaknesses and refine their approach to practice. Without this step, it’s hard to progress effectively.

Why is practicing things that are challenging more effective than practicing what we already know?

Focusing on challenging tasks forces you to stretch your abilities and forces your brain to adapt. Repeating what you already know might reinforce your skills, but it won’t lead to significant improvement. Deliberate practice involves tackling areas where you struggle the most, as that’s where real progress happens.

How does feedback help in skill development, and where can we find it?

Feedback is essential because it provides an external perspective on your performance, highlighting areas that need improvement. Feedback can come from mentors, peers, or online communities, such as forums or review platforms, where more experienced individuals can help identify mistakes and offer guidance.

What does deliberate practice involve beyond just putting in hours of work?

Deliberate practice goes beyond quantity and emphasizes quality. It requires practicing specific skills, focusing on challenging areas, engaging in self-evaluation, and seeking feedback. It’s not about doing the same tasks over and over, but about improving in targeted ways.

How long does it typically take to see results from deliberate practice?

Results from deliberate practice can take a significant amount of time. People often underestimate the effort and time needed for real improvement. It’s a gradual process, and consistent practice is necessary for long-term progress, even though it might not always feel like you’re improving in the short term.

Why should deliberate practice feel tiring, both mentally and physically?

Deliberate practice should challenge you, and this often leads to mental and physical fatigue. It’s not meant to be easy—if you’re practicing in a way that pushes your limits, it will feel exhausting. This fatigue is a sign that you’re actively engaging in the process of improving your skills.