Practice without Challenge is Simply Repetition

Challenging Practice is the fourth installment in my series on Productive Waiting.

“I mean it’s strange… it’s strange to me too, but we’re talking about practice man, we’re not even talking about the game… the actual game, when it matters… We’re talking about practice.”

Allen Iverson, Hall of Fame basketball player

As a dyed-in-the-wool Philadelphia sports fan, I cannot hear the word “practice” without hearing those words from Allen Iverson. I consider it to be one of the most memorable sports interviews ever. In this case, it’s a great jumping-off point to discuss practice while maintaining an element of challenge. You see, there was a reason Iverson was bored by practice. He wasn’t talking about the activity. Not the activity. He was frustrated by the value (or lack thereof) that he was receiving.

The Value of Practice

Iverson became annoyed with practice because he was focusing on the situation solely from his point of view. He was not getting anything out of it. If he were to expand his thinking, he might see practice readies you by improving:

• The mental preparation necessary to execute the strategy and to anticipate the challenges to be faced. Be clear in what you are trying to achieve and focus on that desired outcome.
• Muscle memory required to perform calmly when the pressure is on. When the moment comes, practice will get you past your nerves and prevent you from suffering the “yips”.
• Communication and synchronicity with those around you. Put your practice into action for others to see. Get their feedback and use it to improve.

There is one more element to practice which makes it productive, consuming, and entertaining: Challenge. Practice without challenge is just repetition. I suspect Allen Iverson had become bored and frustrated by practice because it was not challenging for him, nor was he able to make it challenging for himself. Instead, it became a tiring routine. Practice only represented a distraction for him as he waited for the next game to begin.

Practice doesn’t have to be any of those things. You can do more than go through the motions, but it does require focus and motivation. I have found several examples pointing out where practice and challenge harmonize. Their actions and results provide insights you might use to strengthen your confidence, voice, and viewpoint. Let’s get practicing!

The Intersection of Practice and Challenge 

Inspired and focused practice readies you mentally and physically to perform more difficult tasks. The process opens windows of opportunity to apply what is learned and practiced. Practice is continual repetition. What makes the repetition effective is constantly challenging yourself a bit further each time.

Continually repeating the cycle of learning, practicing, and applying incremental challenges pushes you to surpass what you have accomplished previously. Stopping the process harbors the type of boredom and frustration we feel in Iverson’s interview. But, welcoming the challenge and fostering its development creates the opposite effect. The spirit is free to flourish.

Sling it Back to David

As you may recall from the waiting article on learning, the Bible’s King David welcomed the challenges of managing his flock when his work began as a shepherd. In particular, he gravitated toward defending the sheep from predatory animals. I’m guessing, but I think shepherds frequently lost part of the flock due to wolves, lions, or bears. David did not view it in this manner. All of the sheep were important to the flock.

Instead, he spent many hours practicing the skills needed to defend his flock. He learned to expertly wield all of the weaponry used by a shepherd, namely a sling and a crook. I suspect, in the beginning, he was satisfied with scaring off these animals. Eventually, he worked his way up to engaging the predators and even taking back his sheep from their deadly jaws.

To be successful, David practiced long and hard while simultaneously amping up the challenges he faced in the field. His training was so effective, in fact, he took his ever-improving skills onto the battlefield against enemy combatants, like Goliath, a champion warrior. Despite overwhelming odds against him, he defeated the giant and liberated his people from the threat.

Learning from David’s Practice Habits

David continued to engage larger and more hostile foes in combat. As king, he united the various tribes into one nation with a common capital, Jerusalem. He challenged himself on every step from shepherd to king.

David’s contemporaries were fiercely loyal to him. Presumably, they were drawn to his work ethic and watching him overcome challenge after challenge. People gravitate towards people that show a strong desire to learn and grow. He has remained famous and beloved for the same reasons. Seeing what he overcame and fought against is how legends are created.

Try New Recipes, Learn from Mistakes, Be Fearless and Have Fun!

Julia Child also took an unconventional path to carve a legendary career. She joined the armed services during World War II to support the war efforts. During this time, she met her husband, Paul. He introduced her to many new things, one of which was different kinds of foods. Julia developed a strong passion for food, especially with how it was prepared and presented. Julia once quipped, “I was 32 when I started cooking; up until then, I just ate.”

Paul soon joined the Foreign Service. He and Julia proceeded to move all around the world. No matter where they went, Julia researched and explored the local cuisines. She sampled, experimented, and practiced making new meals based on their venue. Her creations grew more complex and refined. Finally, when the couple moved to France, Julia enrolled in the prestigious Cordon Bleu cooking school. She graduated in 1951.

Over the next 10 years, Julia and Paul moved around Europe. Julia studied and practiced her skills creating her own dishes and recipes. Julia began work collaborating with two French chefs she had met in school. They created a cookbook of French recipes specially tailored to fit American tastes, ingredients, and food preparation techniques. That was her genius. She loved cooking so much that she wanted everyone to understand the best way to do it in their own terms.

A Party without Cake is Just a Meeting

Had she focused on selling French cooking, it would have been a poor fit. Instead, she struck the perfect balance between her expertise and what the market was ready to consume. Julia’s book, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, became an immediate success.

Soon, Julia was promoting the book on morning talk shows. One morning, she decided to bring along a bowl, eggs, and a whisk to liven things up on a Boston public TV program. Following the airing, multiple viewers wrote the station and requested more Julia. The station commissioned 3 pilot episodes to showcase her cooking demonstrations. The rest is history. Julia became the mother of TV cooking shows.

Julia Child’s unique combination of talent, practice, and showmanship engaged television audiences for more than 20 years. Her legacy and influence are alive and well today. Just watch a Food Network show and you will still find elements in the shows that Julia pioneered. It’s hard to believe that she was 49 years old when her cookbook was published. She won an Emmy at the age of 54!

She spent well over 15 years practicing her art and challenging herself from a housewife to a French chef to an American TV personality. I bet many people thought she was wasting her time. Clearly, she was not. Once her opportunity presented itself, she readily used her knowledge to show others how they could make these amazing meals in their own kitchens. I watched her show as a child. She was amazing.

If You Are Afraid of Butter, Use Cream

I’m certain that Julia did not know where she would end up when she began experimenting with food and going to school. What was important is that she was continually practicing and challenging herself from the beginning. Even after her show became famous, she continued to reinvent the show’s content, format, and cuisine. She was never satisfied.

“Find something you’re passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.”

“You’ll never know everything about anything, especially something you love.“

Julia Child

Julia’s success spawned from a great deal of practice. She became so fluent in the techniques and the recipes that she was able to perform calmly and persuasively show her skills. Her empathetic communication style was positively effective and endearing. She beautifully relayed her knowledge and content into a context that American cooks and television viewers made their own. Julia seamlessly transitioned her wares into your kitchen.

Practice without Challenge is Just Repetition

Periods of waiting become the perfect time and place to improve your mental and physical state through practice. But, practice alone is not enough. You need to challenge yourself as you practice. Whether it be tracking your performance, experimenting with new techniques, or battling new sparring partners, find ways to motivate yourself to get better. Steel sharpens steel, whether it be a sword or a butcher’s knife.

I have spent a great deal of time researching people who have mastered the cycle of learning, practicing, and challenging themselves. These people share three similar qualities. I notice they:

• Project self-confidence and comfort in their own skin
• Speak and create with a unique voice
• View setbacks and failure as part of the development process

Whatever activity you love or are passionate about is enhanced through finding time for practice. Challenging yourself to continually get more out of the practice will make an indelible mark on your life. If you are able to do it well enough, you may be able to turn it into a successful vocation just like Julia Child. Don’t let people convince you differently. Those passions are critical to your confidence, voice, and viewpoint. Practice big or go home!

The next installment of the series shares ideas regarding Seeking Support.

Uncover more information and background via The Julia Child Foundation web site.