You've probably heard the advice: "Practice makes perfect."
Except it doesn't. Not really.
What makes the difference between an expert therapist with 20 years of experience and someone who's simply been there for twenty years?
That's not head down working, seeing clients week after week. Deliberate practice is structured with three specific components:
1. Embrace the Unknown
To improve, you need to do something new. This means stepping out of your habit zone into unfamiliar territory.
What this looks like:
- Having someone more experienced watch and give feedback
- Moving from self-paced training to live practice with feedback
- Joining a peer group where you contribute
- Extending your work beyond your usual comfort zone
Set your energy spinning toward what you value.
2. Step Boldly Into Life
Set goals in the sweet spot.
Not too easy (staying in your habit zone).
Not so hard that you get frustrated, burned out, or feel defeated.
Examples:
- If mastering a new modality feels overwhelming, start by mastering one foundational step
- If presenting at a conference terrifies you, present at your local community first
Determine where your sweet spot is. It should challenge you, but not discourage you.
3. Measure your progress
Instead of fearing mistakes, learning from them.
- Measure how you're improving (or not)
- Lean in to supportive feedback from those more experienced than you
- Notice where you're out of step and adjust
Choose one concrete baseline measure (video, self-report, outcomes), try deliberate practice, and revisit it in three months for specific improvements.
The bottom line: Deliberate practice isn't comfortable. It requires intention, structure, and willingness to be uncomfortable. But it's the only path from competent to expert.
Remember, time spent deliberately practising for five hours will take you further than twenty hours of comfortable repetition.
You can set up deliberate practice on your own, but progress accelerates dramatically when someone helps you see what you can't see.
If you're ready for a deliberate practice learning opportunity in both your clinical work and your career, you can book in an obligation-free chat with me!
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Hope to speak to you soon,
Louise Hayes, PhD
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*From: Hayes, L. L., Ciarrochi, J. V., & Bailey, A. (2022). What Makes You Stronger: How to Thrive in the Face of Change and Uncertainty Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. New Harbinger Publications.
