Practicing Practicing
"There's a difference between learning a practice, and practicing a practice." – Autumn Brown
In the whirlwind of daily life, it’s easy to get caught up in the pursuit of knowledge and skills without truly integrating them into our lives. Autumn Brown’s quote reminds us of the crucial distinction between merely learning a practice and consistently applying it. Transformation happens when we shift from passive learning to active, intentional practice. Whether that is practicing the guitar, a new behavior, skill or mindset, the consistent attempt to embody the new behavior is where transformation begins to take root.
Carol Dweck, Professor of Psychology at Stanford University, mother of Growth Mindset, defines “growth mindset,” as “believing your talents and skills are not innate, but can be developed through putting more energy into learning, through hard work, good strategies, and input from others.” As I support my clients to evolve their personal and organization's trajectories, what we are really doing is practicing new practices.
In 2024, the practices that have been most transformative for my clients have been the following:
Practicing Presence
In an age of constant distractions, practicing presence is more essential than ever. It’s not enough to understand the concept of mindfulness; we must actively practice being present in each moment to discern the signals from the noise. Whether it’s during a meeting, a conversation with a loved one, or a solitary walk, practicing presence enriches our experiences and deepens our connections, and thus our ability to navigate our environments with grace and efficacy. A practice of presence invites us into a growth mindset, helps us take ourselves less seriously and reduces the challenge of the stressors that inevitably pop up throughout our days.
A Simple Way To Practice Presence: Before your next meeting, take a moment and notice your breath, is it shallow or deep? Is the breath filling your belly or chest? This simple act of noticing without following an urge to shift your breathing pattern is a simple way to practice presence.
Practicing Curiosity Over Judgement
Curiosity is the gateway to growth and innovation. The practice of asking open-ended questions helps us challenge assumptions, uncover new perspectives, and foster a culture of learning. This practice encourages us to listen actively and engage deeply with the world around us, leading to richer, more meaningful interactions. It helps us take ourselves less seriously and opens up new pathways for learning and development.
A Simple Way To Practice Curiosity: “When you are tempted to make a statement, ask a question” - Fred Ross. In other words, instead of offering solutions/answers, flip your assertions into probing questions to support all in expanding the understanding of the presenting situation/perspective/issue.
Special Offer: On Sept. 21, Corey Morrow, Founder of Farsight Society, and I will be co-hosting a virtual workshop on asking questions that catalyze. Join this workshop to meet international entrepreneurs and change makers, and polish your practice of curiosity!
Practicing Listening
Listening is more than just hearing words; it involves fully engaging with the speaker, understanding their message, and responding thoughtfully. Practicing listening enhances our communication skills, deepens our relationships, and helps us learn from others. It also cultivates empathy and reduces misunderstandings.
A Simple Way To Practice Listening: During your next conversation, focus entirely on the speaker, avoiding interruptions and listening not only to the words they are saying, but their tone, their body language and the subtext (i.e. what’s not being said and why they are saying what they are saying). After they have completed their thought, share with them what you heard them say and ask them if you understood their point.
To cultivate the conditions for an organization's transformation and/or personal growth, it's vital to move beyond merely learning new skills - we must practice living them daily. Whether it's presence, curiosity, listening, guitar, or something else, the magic happens in the consistent, real-world application. Whatever you are hoping to transform, it is not just a new skill that needs to be learned; it’s about behaviors that we need to embody.
What have you been learning about? What would it look like to more consistently bridge the learning journey from your head to your feet? If you are ready to make the step from learning about possibilities to embodying transformation, let’s talk!