Introduction

“Practice makes perfect” is a phrase that we’ve been hearing since the beginning of our lives. It is often said by parents, but most especially heard from teachers, instructors, coaches, and also motivational speakers. It is a common motivational phrase that is said to inspire a person to keep going on, that the desired result can be achieved if one does not give up. Actually, the idea is simple: the more you practise something, the closer you get to perfection. But we would be learning today if this notion is grounded in reality, or if it is just a comforting myth.  We’ll explore the interplay of practice and other factors in achieving perfection.

Understanding The Saying, “Practice Makes Perfect”

The phrase, “Practice makes perfect,” has been around for centuries. Though some English scholars have said that it is grammatically incorrect, it doesn’t change the fact that it has been used for ages and it is still being used to communicate a certain idea. The phrase was made to serve as words for encouraging persistence and dedication, most especially in learners. 

“Practice makes perfect” tells us that consistent effort will inevitably lead to mastery, whether it is in sports, music, academics, writing or any other skill that involves practice. That is the reason why this idea has become deeply ingrained in our culture and has become a part of us. Hence, it is often used to motivate people to keep trying, to keep going, to keep pushing, even when the progress is slow. 

Something is more important–perfection. Is perfection real? Is it attainable?

The Science Behind Practice

You have heard the phrase, “practice makes perfect” a million times, but do you know how practice affects the brain? What happens in our brain when we practise? That question will be answered in this section. 

The brain is the most delicate, complex, and important organ of the human body. It controls most of our voluntary and involuntary actions, including breathing, digestion, etc. Science has proven that our brain is elastic; it stretches as we learn new things. This makes us able to adapt to various changes in our environment. Also, there are certain portions of our brain that need to be activated when we want to perform different and new tasks. This is possible with the neurons.

The human brain is made of thousands of nerve cells which are called neurons. These neurons are the core element of the brain because they are the building blocks which help the brain to transmit and also receive signals from other parts of the body. A typical  neuron is made of three parts: the cell body, the axon, and the dendrites. These three parts of the neuron work together to transmit impulse or what we call signals (touch, smell, sound, etc.) to the brain and from the brain to other parts of the body. 

Also, in the brain neurons, there is a white fatty tissue situated in the axon of the neurons called the myelin. Myelin is responsible for the transfer of nerve impulses between neurons and it makes ‘myelination’ possible in humans. Although myelination occurs naturally and faster in little children which makes them learn and adapt quickly, it still occurs in adults, but a little slower, requiring more effort and time.

Scientists have discovered that myelination increases the speed and strength of the nerve impulses by forcing the electrical charge to jump across the myelin sheath to the next open spot on the axon.

Therefore, when we start practising a new skill, either baking, writing daily, dancing for an hour etc., it will seem hard at first, but as we keep practising, it becomes easier and more comfortable. This is because practice helps the brain to optimise the sets of coordinated activities through the process called myelination. The more we practise a skill, the more myelin we produce around the neurons involved in that skill, making the communication between the neurons faster and better. One of the remarkable effects of practice is that it can alter the brain’s structure by enlarging certain areas that are involved in the practised skill.

The Psychological Perspective

Aside from the scientific aspect of practice, let’s look at it from a psychological point of view.  Practice alone is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It is not the only determinant factor of success or perfection. Believing in the power of practice is not just about skill development, but also about mindset.

Mindset is the aggregation of beliefs, attitudes, and mental perceptions that influence how a person thinks, feels, and behaves in various situations. Mindset also determines the way you react to challenges and how you manage your emotions. If you don’t believe that you can get to the desirable level you want with whatever you are doing, there is no way your practice would yield good results. Like I always say, mindset is everything. 

Carol Dweck’s research on “fixed” vs “growth” mindset highlights how our beliefs about learning and intelligence can shape our ability to improve. A growth mindset, which embraces effort and resilience, can lead to continuous improvement, whereas a fixed mindset might make someone give up when perfection isn’t immediately achieved. 

An individual with a growth mindset can achieve his/her aim through practice because this mindset makes one resilient. Hence, it is essential to balance the belief in practice with the acceptance that perfection is a moving target. 

Perfection may not be easily attainable, but at least practice makes one better and excellent in what they do. It refines a person’s skill and prevents it from becoming rusty. What truly matters is progress, not an unattainable ideal.

High-quality Practice 

Research in psychology and neuroscience has shed light on the importance of deliberate practice. You cannot practise half-mindedly and expect a full result, nor can you practise with a mindset of getting immediate perfection. How you practise matters too. 

You must practise what we refer to as dedicated or deliberate practice—focused, goal-oriented practice that involves constant self-reflection and adjustment. 

Psychologist Anders Ericsson’s research popularised the “10,000-hour rule,” which suggests that roughly 10,000 hours of deliberate practice are needed to achieve expertise in any field. Malcolm Gladwell further popularised this concept in his book, Outliers. 

Studies have also shown that mindful, structured practice is significantly more effective than repetitive, unstructured practice. This means that just going through the motions for 10,000 hours won’t necessarily lead to perfection. There is a need to focus on the areas that need improvement. Give it your best, do it frequently, get feedback and also set goals which can make you focus on ways to get better. That way, you can make the most of your practice and get the desired result you want.

Limits of Practice

We’ve learned that practice is very important as it helps to stimulate our neurons to get better at what we do, but it is also important to note that it is not the only factor that contributes to success. Yes, that’s right. Practising alone cannot do the work, especially when it is unfocused or when you are doing the wrong thing. 

There are other factors that contribute to success aside from practice. They include: 

a)  Natural talent

b) Learning environment

c) Access to resources, and 

d) Genetic predispositions. 

These factors play significant roles in determining how far a person can go in mastering a skill. For example, some people might learn a language or musical instrument much faster than others due to innate abilities or early exposure. Some are born with a skill (innate ability) that makes them good at whatever they do, and practice is just a way to refine their skill. 

There is also practice without rest. You must understand that the body has its limits and put this into consideration in your practice, so that burnout from excessive practice without rest does not lead to diminishing returns. This further proves that practice alone is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Therefore, there is indeed a limit to practise. 

Does Practice Make Perfect?

Now the big question: Practice makes perfect, is it a truth or tale? Well, it depends on how a person views perfection. We know that perfection is subjective. It relies on what we view as perfect. For example, if you are practising for a biology test and you aced with a 100% score, we can say that it is a perfect score. But what about other skills like dancing, football, writing, etc? Is there a perfect performance? Is there a perfect game? Or perfect writing? The answer is left to us to answer, but one thing we need to know is that there is no such thing as perfect in some areas of life.

However, that doesn’t mean practice is useless; it’s not. Practice, in fact, helps us to become better. Anyone who has practised knows that the more you do something, the easier it becomes. 

Conclusion

Having gone through the idea of the popular phrase, we are now left with the question, Is “Practice makes perfect” a truth or a tale? Well, the answer is somewhere in between. While practice is undeniably a key component of skill development and success, it isn’t a magical formula.

Also, perfection is often subjective, and other factors like talent, mindset, and resources play crucial roles. Instead of chasing perfection, it might be more helpful and advisable to focus on continuous improvement, learning, and growth.

Call to Action

What do you think about this topic? Has practice made you perfect at something, or do you believe that there’s more to the story? Do share your experiences or thoughts in the comments box below.