"What would I do if I were persuaded to take a dance class?"
I sometimes ask this question of a student when they are facing a challenge that is new and awkward for them.
Because, for me, a dance class would be something new and potentially awkward. So I tell my student: "Dance is not something I have a history of being 'good at'. I’m not exceptionally coordinated or graceful.
But if I did choose to learn, here’s what I’d do:
1) LEARN THE MOVES—observe and practice each step slowly, as many times as I need to.
2) PRACTICE THE MOVES IN COMBINATION—put the steps together and rehearse repeatedly, slowly at first, then picking up speed.
3) PLAY THE GAME A LOT—perform the dance “live” with a partner as often as I could.
I would make no prediction of greatness, but I would learn—and enjoy—the dance!
And, come to think of it, that sequence—LEARN THE MOVES, PRACTICE THE MOVES IN COMBINATION, PLAY THE GAME A LOT—applies to just about anything we want to learn.
It’s a circle rather than a straight line. We return to the beginning again and again as our game evolves.
I once heard this story about the golfer Tiger Woods when he was at the top of his game: before a tournament, while the other golfers were posing for photos or chatting with reporters, Tiger was on the putting green, practicing the basic strokes again and again. The world’s greatest player would spend all his spare time approaching the very basics of his game with reverence!
So then, for the rest of us? Same lesson. In order to play your best game, MASTER THE MOVES.
