Practice makes better

A common misconception about the word “practice” is that it will eventually lead to perfection. This is simply not the case. I would argue that “perfection” isn’t even a desirable goal. People are not attracted to perfection, we’re attracted to sincere and well-meaning imperfection.

This doesn’t mean we should slack off, or settle for anything but our very best in any endeavor. What it does mean is we should manage our expectations, don’t be upset if we don’t achieve “perfection”; but rather be content with what we’re able to put out on a particular day.

During my trumpet playing days (yes, I still play, just not everyday like I used to) I would often get frustrated with my performances. In fact, my wife Sana and I watched some YouTubes of me playing from years ago, and I said I couldn’t even bring myself to watch them. Why? Because quite honestly they weren’t very good. Certainly not anything I would have an audition committee watch, because it was not me at my best.

The youtube we were about to watch was a concert I did in S. Korea in 2014. It was a very difficult program I planned, and in hindsight it’s no surprise I wasn’t a virtuoso that night. My playing in the Army at the time was erratic due to the demands of the job, so I wasn’t in top shape. But the event I played was for a good cause; it was a fundraiser for an orphanage that takes in unwanted babies where mothers literally drop their infant children into a box on the side of the building. It’s called the “baby box” orphanage, and I was happy to lend my skills to help the cause.

So my playing wasn’t exactly top-notch that night, but it was perfectly suitable for the occasion. And it was certainly appreciated by the audience.

All that to say we too often let some ambiguous, unattainable standard of perfection get in the way of “good enough.” And truth be told, “good enough” is what we need at any given moment.

“Good enough” means we’ve given everything we have to give in that moment and we’re content with the results, even if it’s not what we think is our best. My trumpet teachers always said things to this effect. “Trust the work you’ve put in, just give what you have that day and let the results be what they may.”

It’s good advice, and I often find myself saying things like that when it’s time to hit the “publish” button on something I’ve created.

It’s true that the more we do anything, the better we’ll get at it. But “perfection” is like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. It’s an illusion, never to be found.

What is real is the job at hand in the moment. Give it your very best, stand by the results, learn from it and do better next time.

That’s really the best we can do.