Practice makes permanent

'Practice makes permanent' is one of my favourite quotes. In just three words it offers the solution to getting as good as you want to be, to do the things you want to do. Simple!

Except it's not that simple. Practice requires a dedication to both time and effort. The clarity to know that energy is required to move from where you are to where you want to be, as well as the commitment to seeing the journey through.

It is a move away from the comforting routine you have already established in order to nurture the habits that are more in line with where you want (and deserve) to be.

Brave, repeatable steps

There is a temptation to begin a practice session going over what you already know. A warm-up as it were. In the gym that might be sticking with the same weight and reps (as opposed to training progressively with an incremental gains in either weight or movement).

Similarly in drumming (another of my worlds), the temptation may be to use your dedicated practice time to play along to songs you already know or repeat rudiment patterns you have become familiar with.

This maintains consistency... but it doesn't move you forward.

Beyond your Comfort Zone

Even the briefest of forays into something new, something that pushes your boundaries, creates the opportunity to grow. You don't know you can lift more than 130kg in a deadlift until you add two biscuits to the bar and go for 131kg. You don't know you could play a new groove until you give thought to the coordination and interplay between your hands and feet for the first time.

Practice makes permanent

As a mindset coach for entrepreneurs who are looking to embrace their imposter syndrome, overcome perfectionism and improve the relationship they have with failure, I encourage practice at all times.

The movement towards and beyond each of the Four Fears® comes from exploring each of those hesitations and building up the belief, momentum and resilience that disproves the barriers they have created within our mind(set).

Set aside 10mins a day to simply stretch your daily 'do' into places that better serve your ultimate story.

What could you spend ten minutes today practising? Let me know in the comments.

Want help with building a practice regime? Let's have a chat and explore what needs to be more permanent in your business?

Photo by Gideon Liddard Photography