Ever wish you were capable of something, thought of all the experts out there, and quickly lost faith in yourself? I know it happens to the best of us. But I also think that the only difference between those experts and our amateur selves is dedication and experience.

When a professional figure skater always falters in a footwork sequence, she keeps working and working until “always falters” becomes “never falters”. I grew up with skating lessons and dreams of the Olympics; I didn’t have the dedication to ever take me to the Olympics, obviously. I found myself practicing the footwork sequences that I could do best because I liked them, I looked good on the ice, and the moves were easier.

Most of us practice the things we’re good at, and we avoid what we’re not good at. We stick with what’s easy and comfortable. As a result, we’re forever average.

Richard Restake quoted in his book, The New Brain,
For the superior performer the goal isn’t just repeating the same thing again and again but achieving higher levels of control over every aspect of their performance. That’s why they don’t find practice boring. Each practice session they are working on doing something better than they did the last time.

What matters isn’t how long you work; it’s how well you work. Did you brush every tooth before bed? Is the math problem correct?

Thinking of all the things we want to be great at is easy. You could probably ramble off a handful right now. What are they?

Then the depressing part… how are you working toward becoming an expert at these things? Sometimes, amateur skill is enough. We’re content where we are. We could make lists and lists of goals, yet when it comes down to doing the things that count, we change our minds or forget.

Block the obstacles in your mind. A local business man sells worldwide tours through the internet. He told me, “If I had known the competition out there, I probably wouldn’t have had the nerve to try this business.” He went from amateur business man to a booming expert, and he’s dedicated to keep working toward his goals of furthering his business. He’s become the expert.