They say practice makes perfect, what a lie!

Practice does not make perfect; practice makes something a habit. A dictionary definition of habit I found is: “a settled or regular tendency or practice, esp. one that is hard to give up.”

I believe there are habits we all have, consistent behaviors and anything that we do that is repeated over and over again that actually creates our day-to-day reality. And, over time we actually “go numb to,” that is we don’t even notice, our habits anymore.

In my own “scientific exploration” studying behavioral psychology, I have experienced breakthrough events where I pick up a NEW habit, or a work diligently, and very specifically, to eliminate a non-useful habit.

Every now and then, this is the one thing that is blocking, impeding or slowing down our productivity and performance at work and in life. The simple act of changing what you think about continually coupled with changing how you act will go longer and more effectively in creating major life change by iteration – that is, small things done one at a time.

In our seminars, we present ways you can acknowledge your habits. The easiest one to begin with is your “time use.” Identify where your time goes each day, and you just might find some things to do that are more effective, more efficient, and give you more energy. And, remember, the only reason I would EVER ask anyone to consider increasing their productivity:

So they can do more of what they WANT to do, by having done what they HAVE to do.

I have collected ideas for time-tracking over the years and will suggest anyone read Chapter 2 of Peter Drucker’s book called, The Effective Executive. After reading it many years ago, I have experimented with different kinds of time-trackers over the years. To start, get four 3X5 note cards (one for each of the next 4 days at work). Next, bring a timer (kitchen timer, digital timer, etc) to work tomorrow.

When you start working in the morning, set the timer for 30 minutes. When it goes off, write on the note card TWO lines of what you remember doing for the past half-an-hour. Then repeat. Do this 5-10 times throughout the day. Chances are, you’ll realize (like I do EVERY time I do this) that I am not QUITE as efficient or effective as I thought I was when comes down to “objective productivity!”

Comments

[Jason W. Womack, MEd, MA]

Steven,

Great point! Thanks for adding your spin to this entry...I think our two posts could almost go hand in hand:

http://blog.xinu.org/2008/06/17/noticed-progress/

[mrxinu]

I wouldn't be so quick to throw the "practice makes perfect" nugget out the window. While I agree that repeating a behavior might make it habit, it also increases your skill in doing whatever you practiced.

You didn't ride a bike once and then put it away saying "been there, done that, moving on" right?