We’ve all heard the idiom “practice makes perfect” at some point. However, recent scientific studies might have proven otherwise. Have you ever felt that you never seem to improve on a given skill, no matter how actively you pursue it? Is it possible that it might not be the quantity of practice, but the quality?
Keep reading because you’re not alone!
Where does “practice makes perfect” come from?
Investigating the origins of the idiom might come in handy. When did it originate and has it always held the same meaning? Let’s put our linguist glasses on and have a closer look.
The facts presented in this section of the article have been extracted from the three definitions of the idiom listed in the references at the bottom of the article. Variants of the phrase “practice makes perfect” have existed since 800 BC to 500 AD. The famous Roman poet Virgil claimed that “[p]ractice and patience lead to mastery.”
Moving into the 15th century, the statement “[u]se makes mastery” was written in Troy Book by English poet John Lydgate. Even Shakespeare mentioned a version of the idiom in his work Hamlet: “For use almost can change the stamp of nature.”
However, the phrase, “practice makes perfect,” was really popularized as we know it now in the 19th and 20th centuries, becoming a common idiom in the English language from then on.
The expression “practice makes perfect” originates from the mid-1500s as an Anglo-American phrase derived from the Latin “Uses promptos facit.” (U.S. Dictionary, n.d.) Though it likely stems from an older Latin proverb (The Free Dictionary, n.d.), its first recorded use in writing appears in Gregory Titelman’s 1761 work, Diary and Autobiography of John Adams. (U.S. Dictionary, n.d.)
But does practice really make perfect?
Multiple sources assert that it actually doesn’t and have similarities in the following aspects (Mann, 2021; Taylor, 2024; Fast Company, 2020):
Firstly, constantly repeating the same thing doesn’t always lead to acquiring skills or knowledge. Even more so, repetition doesn’t guarantee that you achieve the best outcome. In other words, no matter how many drills you put yourselves through, you might still not get the desired results.
Here’s why:
- Practice may be ineffective due to poor techniques or lack of focus. Both can propagate mindless repetition and reinforce bad habits rather than meaningful improvement. Consider a yoga pose, for instance: if you’re not fully present or lack proper feedback or instructions while performing it, you might inadvertently hurt yourself.
- You will inevitably reach a plateau. As soon as you notice that practice isn’t as rewarding anymore or that improvement is sluggish, you may begin to lose interest. Not correctly adjusting to the difficulty of the challenge (whether it becomes too hard or too easy) is also a reason for this. The lack of motivation or high levels of stress and pressure can hinder your performance.
- Natural limitations. You can not overcome some physical and cognitive limits through practice alone. These limits can dictate the extent of your improvement in various skills or activities, regardless of effort or dedication. Hearing loss, common to those with TS, is a clear example of this. No matter how hard one tries, hearing can not be improved just by practicing.
- Evolving goals. Standards of “perfection” are not static. They shift as societal expectations and benchmarks change. What was once considered the pinnacle of achievement can now be viewed as insufficient or outdated as new techniques, knowledge, and cultural values emerge.
So, what can you do about it?
Begin by exploring the factors that you can influence to a certain extent, such as poor technique, lack of focus, and reaching a plateau.
Poor Technique
With poor technique, you can identify places of improvement and assess them with constructive and effective feedback. This feedback should come from those who genuinely want to help you and see you thrive (bonus points if they’re experts in the field!). If you feel like you’re not making progress despite all the effort, reach out to someone you trust to oversee your practice and provide you with helpful tips.
Lack of Focus
Concerning lack of focus, try being as mindful and present as possible to benefit from the practice. It might be best to make fewer “slowly but surely” tries rather than a thousand fast and careless ones.
Reaching a Plateau
When reaching a plateau, don’t strain yourself! But don’t go too easy and give up either. As with everything in life, the trick is to strike a balance. Having very difficult goals can pressure and discourage you. Whereas goals that are too easy for you can make you feel like you’re getting nowhere. Finding your middle path will help you sustain motivation, which is crucial if you want to keep going! Challenge yourself with realistic goals (be honest with yourself) that you can work toward gradually while feeling accomplished.
Uncontrollable Limitations
There are some factors where you may realize you have no control over, such as natural limitations or evolving expectations. However, this doesn’t mean you are utterly powerless.
Natural Limitations
Learn about how Donna never gave up her passion for dancing despite her mobility-limiting disabilities.
When facing natural limitations, it’s important to keep the following points in mind.
First, it’s crucial to establish realistic and attainable goals that align with your natural abilities. Be kind and fair to yourself!
Additionally, focus on honing your existing strengths to compensate for areas where limitations are present. Using assistive technologies, specialized training, or tools can help alleviate physical and cognitive limitations, such as cochlear implants, hearing and mobility aids, and counseling.
It’s also crucial to stay updated on the latest research and techniques to discover new ways to overcome limitations. Seeking guidance and support from coaches, mentors, or peers who understand these limitations is essential.
Lastly, developing a growth mindset and resilience can help you persist and find innovative ways to thrive despite limitations.
Evolving Expectations
To effectively manage evolving expectations, consider taking the following steps:
Stay informed by regularly updating your knowledge and skills to keep pace with changing standards and techniques in your field. Remember to have an open mind to cultivate the ability to adapt to new expectations, embracing change as an opportunity for growth rather than a setback.
By committing to ongoing learning and improvement, you’ll understand that there’s no ultimate “perfect” level of expertise; instead, growth is a continuous journey. Regularly reassessing your skills helps ensure they remain relevant and allows you to make necessary adjustments along the way.
Make sure to break down these evolving goals into smaller, more manageable steps that allow gradual progress without being discouraged. Finally, regularly seek feedback from peers, mentors, or industry experts to gauge if further adjustments might be needed.
Practice Makes… Improvement?
From all the tips and tricks in this article, a guiding principle stands out:
Keep this in mind as you continue with your learning journey:
- Falling short in your journey is inevitable, and everyone goes through their fair share of disappointment. However, it’s important that you don’t let that stop you.
- Knowing where you fall short is also crucial to prevent you from creating unrealistic expectations that you can never satisfy. It helps to mold your journey into one you can be proud of and motivated to keep going.
- As always, never hesitate to seek the help you need, because with the proper inspiration, you are capable of great things!
Your support inspires us and empowers us to achieve great things!
Without your donations, TSF would have never been able to achieve all of our milestones this year, including collaborating with Period to support women’s menstruation health, raising awareness with the Fairbanks family and the Tampa Bay Rays, and cultivating a group of amazing volunteers and blog articles.
We want to keep giving to our TS community for years to come! However, we need your support to make this happen. We hope you will consider donating this giving season so we can continue to be inspired and empowered to achieve great things. Your gift to TSF would be a gift that helps another person through their TS journey!
References:
Where does “practice makes perfect” come from?
Practice makes perfect. (n.d.). In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved August 10, 2024, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/practice%20makes%20perfect
Practice makes perfect. (n.d.). In The Free Dictionary. Retrieved August 10, 2024, from https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/practice+makes+perfect
Practice makes perfect. (n.d.). In US Dictionary. Retrieved August 10, 2024, from https://usdictionary.com/idioms/practice-makes-perfect/
Why doesn’t practice always make perfect?
Mann, D. (2021, March 30). Does practice make perfect? Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/how-athletes-are-made/202103/does-practice-make-perfect
Taylor, P. (2024, January 17). Psychology and the importance of perfect practice. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-media-psychology-effect/202401/psychology-and-the-importance-of-perfect-practice
Fast Company. (2020, March 18). Why ‘practice makes perfect’ is a myth. Fast Company. https://www.fastcompany.com/91147736/why-practice-makes-perfect-is-a-myth
Written by Andrea Pardo Salvador, TSF volunteer blog writer. Edited by Riya Ajmera, TSF Blog Coordinator, and Victoria Brown, TSF volunteer writer. Designed and Cover Graphic by Riya Ajmera.
© Turner Syndrome Foundation, 2024
Donna’s name is misspelled.