Every Christmas I make our neighbors suffer while listening to me carol. Good thing I have friends who can carry a tune and nice neighbors!
The saying “practice makes perfect” is an expression that dates back to the 1550’s when the phrase was actually “use makes perfect.” John Adams may have been the first to express the idea in the United States.
While we have been using the term for nearly 500 years, it couldn’t be more wrong. I’ve heard “perfect practice makes perfect,” which gets a little closer to reality, but would be impossible. Then I saw “practice makes progress” on a meme recently. How brilliant. Now that’s an accurate expression.
We never reach perfection. It’s an unattainable goal. I see it in Pilates all the time. In fact, it is my inability to perfect my Pilates skills in this ever changing world and my constantly changing body that, in part, keeps me interested in the style of movement. I prefer the idea of constantly progressing. Not only does the concept take some pressure off, but the idea reflects that we are a continuous work of art. We are never finished. I suspect when most Olympic athletes reach their goal, while happy, they immediately want improvement or to advance to yet another level. Perfection is an unattainable dream. If we strive for it, we will inevitably be disappointed and frustrated—always wanting more.
I could practice singing all I want. I’m fairly certain I will never sing on key, and by most people’s standards that will mean that I will never have a perfect voice. The sound that escapes when I sing is a gargle only a tone deaf mother could love.
Sometimes in my classes I like to say, “Don’t worry about it. It doesn’t have to be perfect till next week. Same rules apply next week.” Striving for perfection is to fail from the start. Keep progressing. That’s a better goal!
I’d love to hear what you are practicing and progressing at in life! I’m currently working on my handstand skills and trying to publish a book on movement.
Read More:
Stepping out of my comfort zone at Comic-Con.
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This blog reminded me that so many of us forget about the PRACTICE our athletes, musicians, plumbers, electricians (you get the idea) have to do before they are successful. PRACTICE is something many people want to avoid, but anything worth doing takes lots of PRACTICE. I recently “tried” to make a cake we saw on The Great British Bake Off. It took the participants 5 hours. It took me 11 hours total – not counting cracking nuts. Anyway, I need lots more PRACTICE since my sponge part of the cake was over baked. And that’s just what I intend to do: PRACTICE. I want to be able to make that cake so that it is edible. I want to make macarons and other baked pastry. Guess I’ll just have to keep on trying. As always your blog is “food” for thought and so relevant.
It’s true. Anything we really want to be good at requires practice. I hope you are done cracking nuts! 🙂
Caroling! Hit me up. I live this stuff. Did it in college back in Jamaica. Was fun, except a lot Warmer temps.
Sheneen–good to know…it can be hard to find caroling lovers! 🙂