The problem this solves
“I practise a lot but I'm not really improving. What's missing?”
Primary keyword: deliberate practice
What you'll learn
- Deliberate vs. naive practice
- The four ingredients of deliberate practice
- A 30-minute session template
- How to find a feedback loop when you work alone
The science behind it: Deliberate Practice
Deliberate practice is structured, focused effort aimed at improving a specific aspect of performance, with immediate feedback and progressive difficulty.
Why it matters
It is the form of practice that produces expert performance; mere repetition, no matter how much, does not.
How to apply it
- Identify the weakest component of your current performance and design exercises around it.
- Seek immediate feedback for every attempt.
- Increase difficulty just beyond your current level, not far beyond it.
Common mistakes
- Practising what you are already good at because it feels good.
- Practising without feedback and assuming improvement.
- Confusing hours of repetition with hours of deliberate practice.
Read the full concept: Deliberate Practice.
Where this fits
Part of module Recall and Practice.
More articles in this module
- What Is Retrieval Practice? Beginner's Guide : retrieval practice
- Active Recall vs. Passive Reading: A Side-by-Side : active recall vs passive reading
- Free Recall Without Flashcards : how to do free recall without flashcards
- Spaced Repetition vs. Cramming: A Real Comparison : spaced repetition vs cramming
- Interleaving, Explained Like a Friend : interleaving practice