This is a hot topic these days and I wanted to break down some of the components for you of what deliberate practice is and why it should be a guiding force behind all mental training.

Have you ever wondered why one athlete progresses faster than another despite the fact that both put in a lot of hard work? Historically we would say that the faster progressing athlete simply has more talent, implying they were born with special genes that makes them more adept to learning to play their sport. Research tells the story differently. As it turns out, talent is elusive. There is no proof that it exists. Those who progress faster are likely to spend their time working hard in some very precise ways. They are doing what is called deliberate practice. Below is a checklist for you to review and evaluate. Be honest with yourself, do practice deliberately?

Do you…
1. Train specifically to improve performance? – Do you set personal goals before hand, and plan exercises to address your specific training needs?
Tip: Talk with your coach or trainer before your training session to help make a plan.
2. Get quality reps? – Athletes, especially technical sport athletes (ex. golf and baseball) need LOTS of repetition to ingrain specific skills into habits that hold up under pressure.
Tip: Reps needs to maintain similar intensity to qualify as deliberate practice.
3. Got feedback? – You must get regular feedback from a coach or trainer to ensure you are learning, moving ahead and creating successful results.
Tip: Athletes also need get feedback by monitoring their own progress and preparation.
4. Know your strengths (a good source of confidence) and weaknesses that need to be developed?
Tip: Write a list of your strengths and your weaknesses. Share the list with your coach.
5. Know that deliberate practice is hard? Seeking out what we are not good at and working it is not always fun and if it was everyone would do it!
Tip: Have the confidence to be someone who does!

If you want to the best results from your training efforts, be deliberate. As athletes we love our sport, but that love will not always produce our desired results. Deliberate practice allows us to “control the controllables,” which in turn leads to confidence, increased motivation and more hard work. That is a recipe for success!