Are we practicing what we preach?

Do you remember when you were in middle school or high school? For some of us that has been quite a long time ago. Fortunately, our brains tend to remember a lot from our adolescent years. Think back with me to those younger days and imagine your favorite coach/teacher/team captain. If you were to tell me three of their most common statements, two of them would probably have to do with practice. In fact, regardless of what discipline, art or sport you have learned, you had to practice to achieve any level of proficiency. Maybe you sat for hours doing penmanship, multiplication tables, or repeating vocabulary words. Maybe you played the same five notes on your instrument a hundred times or spend late nights on the driveway shooting 3-pointers until you could hardly lift your arms. Think back to how those times shaped you. Not only your body and mind but also your character. Do you ever wish you could convince your kids or students to practice for “just 5 minutes”?

The reality is, even though we look back on our own practice with an odd fondness, we forget how much of a struggle it was at the time. Most people who achieve a high level of skill in anything had to struggle mentally, physically, and emotionally to do so. The younger generation is no different. If they want to be “good” at something, they are going to have to practice. No matter how many programs or apps or YouTube videos they use, there are no real shortcuts for skill acquisition. However, the marketers and creators of today encourage them to believe otherwise. They use camera tricks, fancy lighting, and editing software to make everything look “easy”. Now the question arises, if the people your students and children are watching/listening to aren’t going to show them the value of practice, who is?

Ok, so we’ve established that you want the next generation to learn how to practice. We’ve also established that the “influencers” aren’t doing them any good in that department. However, I haven’t really given you much hope. So, let’s lift our chins and search for the “art of the possible” for a moment. Who do children spend the most time observing as they grow? That’s right. Parents, older siblings, and schoolteachers. Now, two of those people groups have very established skill sets. One of the most common questions I get from my kids around the house is “how do you do that!?”. While this can be pretty flattering, it can also be surprising when I’m doing something that seems simple like flipping a pancake on the griddle. You see, as we age, we develop established skill sets that no longer require a significant amount of practice to maintain. The pathways in our brains and muscle fibers are now pre-programmed to perform specific tasks. The downside of this wonderful development is that our children don’t see us “practice”. In fact, unless you are a lifelong learner, or involved in some sort of sport that can be played around the house, your kids probably rarely see you develop a new skill set.

Children are mirrors of their parents and teachers. Yep, not only are they watching you, but they are also trying to act like YOU! So, if you want them to practice, you must model the behavior. If you want your students in school or on the baseball field or in the dojo to develop habits of practicing, you need to SHOW them someone who practices. Now, let’s be real, if you are a teacher of any kind, you get a very short amount of time with each student. It isn’t possible to stop teaching and go practice for 10 minutes while they stare at you idly. It isn’t really a good look. However, what you can do, is tell them about what you are practicing. Saying something like, “While I was practicing my reverse punch the other day, I learned…” is a great way to let your students know that you are practicing. Of course, you have to show some integrity here. If you aren’t practicing, it will be obvious to them.

Here we find the great trade – your students need you to model the kind of practice you want them to do (practice what you preach). When you choose to practice in order to be a good example, you will continue to improve yourself! As you improve, your students will see you grow in both skills and character. Kids and students are INSPIRED BY GROWTH! No one wants to follow a dead thing. Be the living, growing, practicing example they need to mirror!

May your practice be plentiful, and your pupils be persistent!