Skip to main content

Practice Makes Permanent

On occasion, my son (3.5 years old) will want me to read Tiger Woods, How I Play Golf. 

In one of the chapters, Tiger says, "Practice makes permanent." 

In the book Talent is Overrated, Colvin brings up the concept of "deliberate practice." 
"...deliberate practice requires that one identify certain sharply defined elements of performance that need to be improved, and then work intently on them."
For example, if you want to rock a case interview, you will practice many case interviews in an environment that reflects an actual case interview. 

I didn't do that and I've failed a case interview or two or three-- rather miserably.

It's the opposite of Allen Iverson's philosophy about practice

In a previous post, I wrote about whether the shine of working at a big consulting firm can wear off. My opinion is that the shine may wear off, but the skills never go away. 

The big BUT is that your marketable skills can go into hibernation if you aren't continuing to use those skills over time.

And it's hard to hone those skills, when you aren't in an environment to use them. 

All of this is fairly obvious I know. But ask yourself this -- for where you want to go, are you in an environment that is giving you an opportunity to learn, use, and improve the skills that are needed for where you want to be? 

If not, seek out that environment and those experiences quickly. Otherwise the existing skills that you do have may become obsolete. 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

I'm Back!

  Probably not an even close comparison to the return of MJ. But the feeling is there.  It's been a few years to say the least.  I blame Covid... and my lack of motivation to put anything out on the inter-web.  That said, it's a different time and I'm a lot older. Things have changed, but they haven't.  I'm still trying to find that next gig.  Breaking through this so-called barrier of being a company leader or executive still alludes me.   And all my friends are more successful than I am.  So cheers to that. I look forward to writing more.  Cheers - PB 

The Thing About Cheese

The book, "Who Moved My Cheese?" has been on my bookshelf for more than a few years. Quite honestly, I don't remember if I read it end to end. So I picked it up and the story vaguely started coming back to me which means that I did read it, but didn't really READ it.  My thing about business self-help books like these are that the concepts and ideas being communicated don't really sit with you unless you are in a situation that makes the ideas hit home.  It's like being a sports analyst without having never really played the sport.  Nothing makes it real like having the experience.  A quote that hit home for me was,  "...a change imposed is a change opposed."  And yet this is how many corporations impose  their edicts expect change to happen within a workforce that is more than happy to oppose  the guys in the ivory tower.  Yes I'm talking about the latest safety policy, finance department "guidance", or expense policy ch...

Diary of a Job Search

 I am not any stranger to looking for a new job.  When I was in big firm management consulting, I used to say, "The one thing about this job is that you are always looking for the next one."  Whether you are on the bench or on an engagement, you should always be spending time out of your day planting seeds for the next engagement or job opportunity.  Unfortunately, I have not followed my own advice in over a decade.  Now, I'm  trying to resurrect relationships and break through AI job site filters -- and all the job search horror stories that happen on LinkedIn are happening to me. Whether you haven't looked for a job in a few weeks or since before COVID, here's what I've learned:  There are people that genuinely want to help. Cherish those people and reciprocate accordingly.  There are people that you thought you knew, that will disappear on you. (I think the kids call it ghosting). I'll be honest in that I'm no angel. I'm sure I've done it to...