Compact Putting Mat for Indoor and Outdoor Practice

Doug Lemov, the bestselling author of Teach Like a Champion 3.0, is the Co-Managing Director of Teach Like a Champion, designing and implementing teacher training based on the study of high-performing teachers and exceptional classrooms. He has taught English and history at the university, high school, and middle school levels.

In a Q&A with the authors of Practice Perfect, Doug Lemov, Erica Woolway, and Katie Yezzi, they discuss the biggest misconceptions around practice.

Myth 1: Practice to improve your weaknesses. This is not true. The authors recommend focusing on practicing your strengths, as this will yield stronger results.

Myth 2: Stop practicing when you achieve competence. The authors argue that what sets champions apart is their excellence, which is achieved through continuous practice even after reaching mastery.

Myth 3: Practice is dull. The authors dispel this notion, suggesting that practice can be fun, exciting, and beneficial for adults.

The authors provide suggestions on how to incorporate the right kind of practice into one's daily life. One concrete idea is to practice with a peer who shares your passion for developing a particular skill, dedicating 10 minutes, three times a week, to work on those skills together.

Doug Lemov shares that he practices a lot with his children, who are athletes. He emphasizes the importance of modeling lifelong learning and skill development, using the example of a two-footed drill he practices with his kids to improve their soccer skills.

Erica Woolway discusses how she practices delivering presentations for her professional life. She scripts her talking points, practices quietly to herself, seeks feedback from a colleague, and practices in front of a mirror to refine her non-verbal communication.

In her personal life, Erica practices establishing a streamlined bedtime routine with her young children, explaining the steps and consistently practicing it to make the process more efficient and less stressful.

Katie Yezzi shares that she practices difficult conversations she needs to have with colleagues or parents. She models the conversations with her managing director, takes notes on key phrases, and reviews her notes before the actual conversation. This helps her stay calm and confident when emotions are high.

In her personal life, Katie practices the basic skills of throwing and catching in Ultimate Frisbee. She finds that this focused practice on the fundamentals significantly improves her performance during games.

The authors emphasize the importance of practice, dispelling common misconceptions and providing practical strategies for incorporating it into both professional and personal lives.

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