Page 7 - January 23

Does practice really make perfect?
How many times have you watched a star athlete, an air show aerobatic pilot or maybe a world-renowned musician perform and afterward commented, “Whoa, that person is amazingly talented!”? It’s a common reaction anytime we witness expert level displays of skill. But is it accurate? Is talent predominantly responsible? Until very recently, most of us would have said yes (at least in a qualified sense). Even in the recent past, scientists agreed with the commonly held belief that expert level performance was tied closely with natural ability. As a result, from a psychological perspective, scientific research into discovering what really creates an expert was delayed.
Many people refuse to pursue a long-held dream because they think they just aren’t cut out for it or due to a self-perceived lack of talent. Others see themselves as able to pursue something as a hobby or for recreation, but never at an expert level because they “lack the natural talent” of an expert. New research has found that outside of obvious physical or genetic advantages (height in some sports, for example), this simply doesn’t reflect the reality of most “experts.”
Few pilots would argue that the way we initially learn any skill and get better at it is via “practice- practice-practice.” As a 30-plus-year flight instructor, one of my favorite pieces of advice to clients has been, “No one ever became good at crosswind landings by avoiding crosswind landings.” Yet, as with so many things in life, quality can be just as important as quantity. Indeed, the most recent scientific research indicates that expert level performance in almost any activity comes not from natural talent or even constant repetition. Rather, it comes from expert level practice. Practice that is targeted, meaningful and knowledge/skill expanding: deliberate practice.
Not only that, the research goes on to say that the difference between expert performers and “normal” adults of similar age is a lifelong pursuit of deliberate efforts (in both education and practice) to improve in their specific area of expertise. So, who then are the true experts? Those with almost unheard of levels of natural abilities in a given area? More likely, it is those who maintain and practice at high levels consistently, over years or decades; always striving to not only maintain their performance, but improve. The research indicates it is rarely about or as simple as what you are born with. Instead, it is more about how consistently and deliberately you practice to improve.
JANUARY 2023
KING AIR MAGAZINE • 5
Research indicates that being a true expert is less about natural abilities and more related to how consistently and deliberately you practice to improve. (Courtesy: King Air Academy)