What determines whether you will succeed in something? The answer lies in two key questions:
- Do you have the ability to improve yourself every time you learn something?
- Can you execute what you’ve learned under pressure?
Actually, the second question is just a result of the first. If you consistently improve every time you learn, then youcan also learn the ability to perform under pressure.
So, let’s focus on the first question.
Whatever you aim to achieve—whether it’s an exam, a meeting, or even a tennis match—first, identify the worst situation that could arise. What kind of surprise or pressure could prevent you from performing at your best? Once you’ve identified that, practice by simulating those high-pressure situations before the real event.
For instance, if you’re someone who might face traffic while going to an exam, and thus lose precious time, practice by reducing the time on your mock tests. If you have 2 hours for the real exam, do your mock test in 1 hour 50 minutes—or even in 1 hour 30 minutes. If you’re worried you might fall sick the week before an important exam, prepare in such a way that even if you can’t revise last-minute, you’re still ready to perform.
In my case, I always seem to fall sick before life-changing exams, or something emotional happens, like losing someone close. I know many of us face such challenges—life throws surprises at us all. But the ones who succeed are those who overcome these situations. You’ve probably heard people say after they failed, “If only I wasn’t in that situation, I could have made history,” as if their competitors faced no challenges! Some people even complain about being unlucky, blaming it for their inability to achieve what they deserved.
In reality, those who succeed often face the hardest situations. Yet, they still make it. Yes, there are things beyond our control—luck plays a part. But you have to take responsibility. You have to say, “Okay, luck might be a factor, but I’ll try my best to overcome it.”
I’m reminded of a quote by Allama Iqbal, a famous philosopher: “ḳhudī ko kar buland itnā ki har taqdīr se pahle. ḳhudā bande se ḳhud pūchhe batā terī razā kyā hai.” This translates to, “Master yourself so much that before your fate is decided, God asks you what you desire.”
The point is, challenges will come, and things won’t always go as planned. So, when preparing for something, foresee these obstacles and train yourself to face them.
What is Deliberate Practice
In any task, there are specific skills, and each skill can be broken down into basic sub-skills or steps. Mastering a skill means first mastering its sub-skills. If something goes wrong, you go back to the basics and fix the errors. This is why, after losing a game, champions often say, “We’ll revisit the basics.”
For example, when someone says, “I don’t understand math,” they’re really saying they don’t know how to learn or practice math. You need to break math down into its sub-skills, practice each one, and then gradually increase the difficulty until you master it. This process is called deliberate practice.
How to Practice Deliberately:
- Choose a skill to practice.
- Break that skill into its basic steps or processes.
- Identify which steps you need to improve (these are your “stretch goals”).
- Measure your performance regularly—this is constant feedback.
- Correct your mistakes immediately.
An Example of Deliberate Practice
A great example of deliberate practice is Sir Don Bradman, the legendary cricket player. He scored 6,996 runs in Test matches with an average of 99.94. His practice routine was a perfect illustration of deliberate practice. Bradman used a hard golf ball, smaller than a cricket ball, and hit it against the concrete part of his house’s water tank. Then, with a 3 cm-thin stump (much thinner than a cricket bat), he would try to play the ball as it bounced back at unpredictable angles and at a faster speed.
This routine didn’t overhaul Bradman’s technique but brought two key improvements:
- His accuracy and hand-eye coordination sharpened because he played with a smaller ball and thinner bat.
- The fast return of the ball made him adjust his footwork, helping him develop his famous back-foot shots.
What people saw on the field seemed like magic, but it was simply the result of breaking down the skill and mastering its sub-parts under tougher conditions. Bradman once said that at first, he couldn’t hit the ball properly but kept practicing until he could hit 3 out of 4 balls consistently. He practiced for hours to perfect this.
Deliberate practice isn’t about spending 10,000 hours doing the same thing. It’s about focusing on learning something new, correcting your mistakes, and improving incrementally every day. This kind of practice requires intense focus, constant correction, and pushing your limits. That’s why it’s often hard work and not always fun. Every session has to be taken as seriously as the real test or challenge.
Why Don’t More People Use Deliberate Practice?
If deliberate practice guarantees improvement, why don’t more people do it?
- Breaking down skills is hard. Most people start practicing or studying without much thought because they’re in a hurry. They think that breaking down skills takes too much time or is unnecessary.
- It requires constant feedback. You need to know what you’re doing right, where you’re going wrong, and what you need to fix. This is why a mentor is crucial. A mentor’s main job is to give you honest feedback and point out your mistakes.
If you find a mentor who can do this, you’re fortunate. If not, you can create your own feedback by setting two parameters: accuracy and speed. For example, when studying, you could set a goal like, “I’ll study this topic for 30 minutes with full concentration and aim to retain 50% of what I learned.” Then, gradually increase the percentage. Similarly, in cricket, you could say, “I’ll play 15 cover drives and hit 80% of the balls with the middle of the bat.”
Deliberate practice is not just a theory; it’s a proven approach that champions have used to reach extraordinary heights. Whether you’re preparing for an exam, a big presentation, or a sport, the power of deliberate practice lies in breaking things down, learning step by step, and improving each time you repeat a task. Of course, this kind of practice isn’t easy. It’s demanding and sometimes exhausting. You will have to focus on the smallest details, correct your mistakes over and over again, and continuously push your boundaries. It may seem boring and tedious at times, but that’s where the magic happens. Each small improvement adds up to something unimaginable.
So, if you want to master any skill, start practicing deliberately today. Set small, achievable goals, seek constant feedback, and push yourself a little further each time. The road may be long and challenging, but by following the process, you’ll transform yourself in ways you never thought possible.
Remember one thing, champions aren’t made by talent alone—they’re made by relentless, deliberate effort. And that’s something anyone can achieve.
