DELIBERATE PRACTICE

For two years we have shifted to using deliberate practice feedback as we practice coaching. There are many reasons for doing this— not the least of which is the importance of timely feedback. The closer to the action that you can receive feedback, the sooner you can make critical distinctions and adjust your actions. What we now know in terms of developing expertise is that if you really want to become an expert— you need to practice in a diligent and contracted way while receiving clear specific feedback in the moment.

Anders Ericsson, who invented the idea of deliberate practice, noted that it is very effortful, that is, one of effort, focus, concentration, etc. and not much fun. Practicing for fun and enjoyment is not deliberate practice. Instead, it is highly focused on a particular behavior which you want to improve and so involves an appropriate level of difficulty — “appropriate” signifying that it is not too easy nor too hard. It involves hard work around a critical distinction. What are the characteristics of deliberate practice?