Practice Your Sweet Spot
My grandmother bought me a cheap guitar for my 13th birthday because I wanted to learn to play. I did not take formal lessons at that time, but I bought myself a book and spent hours practicing every day. I knew a little about music theory from my piano lessons, so I had some idea of what I wanted to achieve. I would practice the shape of the chords, changing the chords and coordinating it all with my strumming. Eventually, I got to the point where I was able to play in public without embarrassing myself… too much.
In the adventure that has been my life so far, I have learned a few lessons about simply knowing how to do something to become proficient at it and then how to become excellent at it. Here are some of the things I have learned.
When you are on a good thing, stick to it
As a teenager in the 1970s, I saw an ad on TV for Mortien, a brand of insect spray in Australia. They had several very catchy commercials that ran through the decades. From the 1930s till 1986, the tagline was. “When you’re on a good thing, stick to it”. It became a cultural Aussie catchphrase and was applied to many areas of life – education, sports, careers, and even relationships.
When you identify a sweet spot that brings a positive impact to your life, find ways to stay with it. Recognize what works and double down on it rather than constantly switching paths. This doesn’t mean avoiding innovation or adaptation but rather focusing on areas where you can make the most impact.
Build Muscle Memory
Muscle memory refers to the process by which repeated practice of a physical task engrains it into your memory, making it second nature. This concept is not limited to physical activities but applies to any skill, including intellectual and creative pursuits. Through consistent practice, actions become more automatic and efficient, reducing the cognitive load required to perform them.
In the context of practicing your sweet spot, building muscle memory means dedicating time to repetitive, focused practice in your area of strength.
Reflect and Adapt
In my office, I have a comfortable recliner that is purposely pointed away from my desk and my computer screen. If I run into a block in my workflow, or am processing a new idea, I sit back in that chair, close my eyes, and simply spend the time thinking through the issue.
Regular reflection involves assessing your performance, understanding what worked, what did not, and identifying areas for improvement.
Adaptation, on the other hand, is about being flexible and responsive to changing circumstances and the latest information. In the context of practicing your sweet spot, it ensures that you maintain momentum and continue growing in your chosen field.
Be Patient
Life is a series of episodes and sequels that require a lot of patience and application to see you through to a successful conclusion. Not every episode of your life will have a positive conclusion or happy ending. Take time to learn the lessons.
Patience helps you stay committed during challenging times and maintain your motivation despite slow progress.
In living your purpose, patience allows you to persevere, steadily build your capabilities, and achieve an elevated level of mastery. This long-term perspective can help you stay focused and stay in your sweet spot.
Stay in Your Lane
As you identify your sweet spot in the journey of life, it is important to know where you are headed, which route to take to get there. Of course, there will be times when you come upon the slowpokes or some other hazards and must change lanes to go around them. But that should be more of a periodic adjustment so that you can continue without further hindrance.
“Staying in your lane” means focusing on your strengths and not getting distracted by what others are doing. It’s about recognizing your unique abilities and concentrating your efforts where you can excel. This principle encourages you to avoid comparing yourself to others and instead, commit to your path.
In the broader context, this focus helps you make significant contributions in your area of expertise and stand out as a specialist.
