Prediction, Practice, Competence and Professionalism
Apparently there is a saying in some branches of the armed services:
“The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in combat.”
This concept is easily translatable to other areas. It is based on the ability to predict the consequences of actions. The understanding that the first time you do something is a learning experience. That only by doing something over and over do you get really good at it.
Some (most?) people do not get this. They operate on the basis of giving things “a lick and a promise”. If you are not familiar with the phrase, it means, “A cursory effort, for instance at painting or tidying up. It alludes to the perfunctory washing performed by children.”
In software (and probably many other areas as well) there is a caution against it:
“There is never enough time to do it right…
but…
there is always enough time to do it again.”
And therein lies the mark of a true professional. A true professional is one who accurately predicts that in order to obtain a high level of competence he is going to need to devote time to learn, practice and drill the actions of his job. He disciplines himself to continue to practice and hone his skills, learning all he can and drilling the basic actions of his job until those actions are done to an incredibly high level of skill, thereby producing top quality products.
I read some time ago that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become world class at something. Doesn’t matter if it’s sport (tennis, football, swimming, athletics), arts (singing, painting, acting), or a trade.
Just as an aside, if the thought of doing that in your current profession leaves you down in the mouth or you are only to eager to leave work and forget all about it until the next day, then may I suggest you may be in the wrong profession?
And that opens the door to another very good question that might help someone to work out what their basic purpose is in life and what profession may better suit their talents and personality. For as Confucius is alleged to have said, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
If you are going to practice 10,000 hours at something it is optimum to be doing it at something you are talented and enjoy.
So the question is, “What activity would you not mind spending 3 hours a day at for the next few years to become world class at?”
And if spending a few years to become world class at something seems a daunting task, more than one person has opined that “Most people over-estimate what they can get done in a day and under-estimate what they can get done in 5 years.”
And if you would like some more tips on “How To Work Out Your Basic Purpose In Life”, head on over to https://www.tomgrimshaw.com/tomsblog/?p=37862
