What we now know is that people learn to become very good at something by intense deliberate practice of relevant tasks consistently over a long period of time; two sessions of an hour and half, everyday, for at least ten years (main paper by Ericsson et al (pdf), softer read in the HBR). Deliberate practice is quite different to other domain tasks such as an actual performance, research, play, networking etc. Quite simply, exceptional performers work longer, smarter, and harder than others who are merely good (p.379 in Ericsson paper (pdf)):
Deliberate practice involves structured activities that are targeted at solely improving performance. It is often repetitive, narrowly focused, and feedback is readily available so that corrections to technique can be made quickly. An example would be the drills that top tier sports stars often commit themselves to. These are discrete tasks like putting systematically from 2 meters, then 4, then 8 meters away from the hole in golf.
The challenge is to think about how to begin a course of deliberate practice in photography. To do that you need to:
- identify the key tasks that drive successful photos and photostories,
- work out a schedule for practice,
- and be able to measure improvements and achieve concrete goals.
I better get a move on (p.387 in Ericsson paper (pdf)):
Posted 2 years ago
