Chapter Summary
Talent, "the possession of repeatable skills that don't depend on physical size", is found in places that most people wouldn't expect. Most of us would expect that opportunity or money would create the best training, but often the reverse is true. Practicing skills that are just outside of our reach, stretching to attain the next level of expertise, and stumbling through difficulties are the things that give us the best results for our skill acquisition. Soccer players in Brazil who were raised on futsal became much more skilled because of the greater number of times they touched the ball, the heaviness and smaller size of the ball that required more precision, and the size of the area they had to work in. All of these elements added up to ripe conditions for deep practice.
Key Concept
Deep practice is the aim for any who wish to develop skill and talent. Deep practice requires deliberate pushing through difficulty in order to perfect skill.
Key Terms
deep practice
talent
Making Connections
I have found this concept to be true in my practice. French is difficult for me to pronounce and understand, so when I have a French song to work on, I struggle through it and spend significant time trying to get the sounds just right, while maintaining good technique and feeling. Because of that difficulty, my French pieces are the most ingrained in my memory, and my technique is better. I usually choose more German or English because it's easier to me, but remembering the lyrics after a semester or two is a chore, and I find more technical stumbling blocks when I return to them. The same is true for any skill we acquire with real deep practice. This all tells me that I need to apply the concepts of deep practice to my "easier" things so that I have a more solid grasp on them.
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