There is an adage that says, practice makes perfect. And that saying is both overstated and over-simplified. Renowned American football coach, Vince Lombardi refined this platitude to, “perfect practice makes perfect.” In terms of human behaviour and human beings in general, the truth is perfection is unattainable; more accurately, becoming complete with respect to some aspect of self would be a worthy goal or achievement for anyone. Consider the word ‘practice’ in terms of becoming complete. Practice carries all manner of connotations: rehearse, work at, execute, prepare, repeat, train, perform etc. In terms of human behaviour and behaviour change in particular, we practice all the time and the more we practice, the more ingrained our behaviour becomes. In motivational interviewing, desired changes have to be practiced in order to learn the new behaviour. And, as noted in another blog (the tipping point of change), the reality is, we and our clients are always at choice with respect to what and how we practice. Consider this enlightening video from a young boy, Prem Rawat:
Notice your reaction to what Prem says about life-practices. What strikes you about his and/or your truth? What is the truth about practice as human beings? How might we work with our clients to shift their views about what and how they choose to practice? What would be possible if humans practiced joy? What do you practice?