Practice makes...

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(Edited)

I've never agreed with the phrase practice makes perfect when it comes to my sporting endeavours, or any task at which I've needed to improve to be honest. I'm human and so, quite simply, am intrinsically flawed; Perfection is never going to exist.

This doesn't mean that I fail to seek improvement, just that I measure it differently. Removing the feeling that perfection is the only acceptable outcome has allowed me to improve without undue pressure and to focus on the steps towards performing better rather than the unattainable unicorn that is perfection.

In my shooting for instance, either in the field, or from a competition aspect, I've always sought to perform at a minimum level based around previous engagements; To shoot with better accuracy, more speed and to strategise each scenario better each time I go out. I seek to have my equipment squared away, weapon-systems set up correctly, and to be in the right mindset to make rapid decisions which can often affect the outcome.

After each time I shoot I take the time to evaluate my performance because knowing what I did, right or wrong, will permit me the ability to understand where improvement can be made. Building on the good things and amending those that could have gone better is critical to mission-success next time, and to improving.

"I'm not a perfection-seeker. I'm a continuous-improvement seeker."

There was a time when I would have called myself a perfectionist. I was proud of the fact that I drove hard towards perfection. I thought it was a good thing...Until I received a much-needed attitude adjustment from a superior. You see, the problem was that my pursuit of perfection meant I was holding myself back in certain areas...Better to not attempt it than to do so and fail so to speak.

I would simply not hold myself out there, place myself in danger of failure and therefore opportunities were lost, or at least not explored.

Fortunately I realised it and took steps to make a change. It was difficult though, and I decided to employ the help of a professional to facilitate the process. The best decision ever.

The fear of failure is a limiting emotion, it was for me anyway; For others it may be the most legit thing ever. Once I realised the error of my ways however the-opportunity-floodgates seemed to open up and pour into my life and I liked the new get after it guy I had become.

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't the sit-around-and-not-do-anything-guy prior to that point, just that I would cherry-pick the best opportunities, the ones that I knew I could excel at. It held me back.

That was the start of my new life, the design and create life-ethos that now punctuates every thing I do. I was the get after it guy prior, but my new path made that get after it ethos more effective and yep, I failed heaps. I still do! I achieved at more things also though, because I put myself in the position to do so.

Practice makes perfect continual improvement.

I practice every aspect of my shooting from the set up of my rifles and handguns, equipment, theory and practical aspect...Not just trigger-pulling. Data of previous engagement (DOPE) is critical to that practice and the pursuit of improvement. It is one of the most important aspects of shooting, especially long range shooting; It is also something all of us can apply to our everyday lives.

Taking the time to evaluate our performance as a partner, a worker, parent, friend, sports-person, community-member, indeed every aspect of life, can gain us valuable DOPE if we examine it; Evaluate...And once we know the as-is position we can set about improving it; Improving ourselves and deploying life a little more effectively.

I mentor a few people here and there and this is one of the topics we often discuss; Perfection or continual improvement. Understanding the concepts around improvement and fear of failure has been a valuable lesson for myself and those around me also.

Practising the skills around self-evaluation is, in my humble opinion, one of the most important things a human can add into their life. It will open opportunity and expand one's paradigm bringing new attitudes and behaviours, and better results. Will a person fail more because of it? Probably. But, like my father once told me, "failure brings a person closer to success."

So, do you agree or disagree with me? Do you pursue perfection or continuous improvement?


Tomorrow isn't promised - Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default
An original post written by a human
Discord: galenkp#9209 🇦🇺



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(Edited)

Really enjoyed reading this. People who hold themselves to perfection standard often improve at a much slower rate because emotion of not reaching it gets in the way.

It's definitley something I try to emphasize when I coach my kids basketball; "Just work at improving every week, and learn from when things don't quite work out the first time."

I'm learning that too as a coach....

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Hey there, thanks for saying so. It's a good message, although one I'm better at delivering in person. It's difficult to type it out concisely and to make a post short enough, but get all the concepts in - Which I have not managed to do.

Coaching is a huge responsibility, especially for a coach in your position, with kids. A few wrong moves and a kid could be affected for many years. Seeking perfection is a fools errand in my opinion, quite clearly. I have done it that way, and the other which is what I'm all about now and there's much to be gained by seeking continual improvement over perfection.

All the best with the development as a coach; I'm sure you're doing great already and with your *every-week-improvement ethos will only get better.

Thanks for commenting. I really appreciate it.

!ENGAGE 50

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I always look at it as "practice makes better". I have messed up things I have been doing for years. It happens occasionally. But it doesn't happen as often as it used to because I have gotten "better".

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Yep, couldn't agree more. Continually improving is a better journey and I think the results are more valuable.

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Being a perfectionist, as you very wisely say in your writing today, leads you to the resounding and continuous stress because, the moment you do not reach the goal or the objective immediately, the frustrations come and that is very harmful. I share your philosophy of continuous improvement and of accepting our mistakes many times being self-critical I practice it a lot. We came to life to learn how to walk and during this process there are falls, the important thing is to know how to get up and encourage yourself to continue, reflecting on the cause of the fall and assimilating the experience so that it does not happen again. Excellent reading as always, with much wisdom and naturalness, key in life to be happy. A hug for you, dear @galenkp, thanks for sharing these lines, it is always a pleasure to read you.

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Hi Mary, thanks for your reply.

Yes, perfectionism leads to stress and disappointment. Obviously people who seek it also achieve, but in my experience that achievement comes at great emotional cost and is not as valuable as continually improving.

Thank you for taking time to read and respond.

!ENGAGE 20

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Howdy sir galenkp! Great lesson in human nature. I think at least half of the population let the fear of failure hold them back. I'm probably way off on that percentage but alot of them do! lol.

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It's a typical emotion I think, and one that society sort of promotes these days unfortunately.

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