"You Play Like You Practice"

You know the saying "Practice makes perfect." Here's similar advice from 37signal's Jason Fried: "You play like you practice." If you want to perform strongly in any area (from sports to business), you can't slack off in your practice, because what you do most of the time is what you get used to.

It's a simple, perhaps obvious concept, but Fried gives a great example of how the little things you do during practice can really make a difference later. Taking a self-defense class that incorporated fake handguns, the instructor repeatedly told the class to drop the gun on the ground instead of handing it over to their partners when it was time to switch turns.





So when you're gearing up for a big presentation, practicing for a test, or preparing for anything else, remember to be mindful of all the little things you're incorporating into your practice and don't cut corners.

You play like you practice | 37signals

Photo by Michael Coghlin.