Aiming for C (on Practicing, pt 3)

July 28

The third rule of practicing is to aim for C. 

Think of it this way: there are two worlds in the domain of the thing you are practicing. 

World one is the known world—the one in your head. You know 100% of what is in world one. It is completely and entirely available to you. 

World two is the unknown world—the thing you are practicing as it exists completely separate from you. It’s full of things you don’t understand yet, or don’t know how to do yet, some of which would benefit you. 

Practice is the art of moving things from world two to world one. Taking what is outside of you and channeling it through your unique point of view into your known world.

In this regard, you should aim to always practice at roughly a C level.

If you’re constantly practicing at an A level—flawlessly executing the techniques and exercises—you’re living only in world one, rehearsing within what you know.

If you’re constantly practicing at an F level—fumbling through even an outline of what you’re attempting—then you’re only living in world two, not doing the work of bringing it into what is known.

Of course, there’s a time and a place to sharpen something to perfection. But generally? Aim for the center of a passing grade—add it to your repertoire—and move on. 

That’s practicing.

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