"Excellence is not an act, but a habit," Aristotle said. Clearly, he never had to survive back-to-back Zoom calls or wrangle an overflowing inbox. But Aristotle’s wisdom still holds, and so does the research of Anders Ericsson, the psychologist who literally wrote the book on how humans get better at things. Spoiler: it’s not by “just trying harder.”
Ericsson’s concept of purposeful practice gives us a science-backed roadmap to improvement. It’s not about endless repetition (sorry, karaoke night fans). It’s about practicing with intention: targeting weaknesses, setting specific goals, and measuring progress. In short, it’s working smarter, not harder.
What Is Purposeful Practice?
Think of purposeful practice as the grown-up, office-friendly version of practicing throw ins in your garden. It’s focused, intentional effort to get better at something specific. Not to be confused with “brute-forcing it” or “hoping for the best,” purposeful practice is about picking one thing and actually practicing it.
Lessons from Elite Sports
If athletes like Lionel Messi or Simone Biles just “winged it,” they’d be great... at losing. Sports legends know that repetition, feedback and targeted improvement are key to their success.
Phil Jackson didn’t win all those NBA championships because his players just “gave it a go.” He made them practice together so they’d operate like a well-oiled machine. Pe Guardiola? He doesn’t tell his players, “Just show up and vibe.” He drills the basics into them until they can execute under pressure.
The same logic applies at work. Don’t just assume you’ll nail that client presentation because you skimmed the slides once. Practice delivering it out loud—bonus points if you use your dog as a practice audience.
Why It Matters for Managers
1. Better Performance
Imagine your team runs like a Formula 1 pit crew—fast, efficient and borderline telepathic. That’s what purposeful practice can achieve. Whether it’s improving time management, client communication or project planning, practice sharpens skills and boosts confidence.
2. Less Stress
When you’re well-prepared, you’re less likely to panic. Purposeful practice transforms the unknown into the familiar, turning “Oh no, not this again” into “I’ve got this.” It’s like swapping out your anxiety for a comfy pair of slippers.
How to Practice Without Losing Your Mind
1. Pick One Thing
Don’t try to master everything at once. Focus on one skill or task your team can work on. Like finally mastering the mute button in Zoom meetings (we’ve all been there).
2. Get Feedback
Feedback doesn’t have to be scary. Think of it as your personal coach saying, “You’re doing great, but maybe don’t send emails in Comic Sans.”
3. Celebrate Wins
Improvement is improvement, even if it’s small. Celebrate your team’s wins with donuts, fruit or at least an enthusiastic GIF!
Purposeful practice isn’t magic, but it’s close. It’s the difference between feeling like you’re treading water and actually swimming forward. And who doesn’t want to feel like Michael Jordan—even if it’s just during your next client pitch?
Now go forth, managers of the world. Pick a skill, practice it on purpose, and turn “good enough” into “flipping amazing.” Just maybe don’t tell your team, “This is like boot camp,” unless you want to see some creative resignation letters.
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