Thinking method · Ericsson & Pool, Peak

Deliberate practice

Practice aimed at a specific weakness, with immediate feedback, just past what you can do. Any skill you have plateaued on despite doing it a lot.

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Practice aimed at a specific weakness, with immediate feedback, just past what you can do.

The steps

1. Name the specific sub-skill you are bad at — not the whole activity.
2. Design a repetition that isolates it.
3. Set it just beyond your current reach. Comfortable repetition is not practice.
4. Get feedback immediately, from a person, a recording, or a checkable answer.
5. Adjust and repeat. Keep the sessions short and the attention full.

When to use it

Any skill you have plateaued on despite doing it a lot.

What it will not do

Hours of ordinary doing is not this. The difference is the isolated weakness and the feedback.

Where it comes from: Ericsson & Pool, Peak. Described in our own words.