Perfect (on Practicing, pt 1)

July 26

Here is the first lesson in practicing: it’s just you. 

No teacher. No book. No instruction. No shortcuts. Not even this email can help you. Practicing exists only in the relationship between you and your craft as you understand it. Often it exists simply in the distance between your brain and your fingertips as you attempt to convince them to move in ways that still feel unnatural. 

In that regard, practice is always available to you.

To close your eyes and, holding an internal view of that thing you still pursue, begin to ask of it questions. What is essential? What is important? What is it that you know you could do better that you still have not figured out, still have not found? 

It’s not repetition. It’s not time invested. It’s not check marks on a spreadsheet or lessons paid for or courses purchased. Take away the element of time—invested or taken—and the idea of practice still relates, running through the ideas just as they are. 

There, asking the question, “besides just doing it more often, how could I could get better at this?”

Morning Reading is a daily email to help center yourself, reflect, and prepare for the day. It’s sent with love from your friend, Zach in Austin, Texas. He even drew the logo himself.

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