Does Practice Really Make ‘Perfect’?
You may be wondering - what does this blog have to do with swimming? Bare with me a moment while I explain. You see, when learning how to read, ride a bike, or how to swim, there are many habits that we have picked up that hold us back from getting anywhere close to our full potential.
Throughout my childhood, I have been told ‘Practice makes Perfect’ and I, as a dedicated professional attempting to motivate and inspire, have used these three famous words. However, through my experience and learning, I have come to realise that this phrase and idea can unintentionally prevent children from reaching their full potential.
Perfection vs Progress
I think it would be helpful to start with some questions. Do we want our children to be perfect or do we want them to improve? Furthermore, what is perfect? Do athletes ever reach a state of perfection?
The problem with focusing on perfection - particularly with young children - is ultimately; it adds extra pressure which can result in a loss of motivation and enjoyment, it forces us to focus on the idea of perfection and lose sight of the next step, and our need to be perfect can lead us to avoid the activity completely due to a fear of failure (not perfect = failure).
Almost every child has a desire to improve. When a young child is learning how to walk, we don’t expect them to walk perfectly - we just want them to be able to walk… Not to mention the fact that we deeply celebrate it when they do. We want them to crawl, walk and fall, then walk… and fall again.
Perfection is arguably for athletes and masters. The need to progress is inside us all.
Practice makes…
The problem with the word perfect; is many children do not really know what it means, they beat themselves up when they don’t reach their idea of it or put immense pressure on themselves because we or they have unknowingly set unrealistic expectations. Dreams are important, but starting with perfection will not get you there.
The phrase is grounded in good intention. And I don’t at all suggest we get rid of it… completely. I suggest we make a slight tweak to it. Rather than Practice makes Perfect, we tell the children what we really mean - Practice makes Progress. It may seem insignificant but I assure you it is a huge change in perspective and mentality.
Practices makes Progress says…
It is okay to make mistakes
We are trying to get better
Practicing is fun
I know what I am trying to achieve
I can improve at my own pace
I don’t know what my best is but I am excited to see how far it goes
I can achieve my dreams if I focus on the next step
Learning (in any form) how to swim, will be much more enjoyable for our children when we understand some of the things that may be holding them back. In my experience, the switch from perfect to progress has had a massive impact on myself and the children that I teach. Next time your child goes swimming, tell them ‘Practice make Progress’ and notice their relationship with swimming change and evolve.
Cory Abrahams - Founder