MIND YOUR GENIUS - The Power of Practice!

“I fear not the man who has practiced 10000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10000 times” – Bruce Lee

What is Practice?

Practice in this context means to carry out or perform a particular method or custom habitually or regularly. In the words of Martha Graham, “Practice means to perform, over and over again in the face of all obstacles, some act of vision, of faith, of desire. Practice is a means of inviting the perfection desired”. To perform over, and over, and over again; to persist in the task you have set your heart to do even when things seem not to be producing the desired results just yet. Malcolm Gladwell said, “Practice isn’t the thing you do once you are good. It is the thing you do that makes you good”. Practice is that act, repeatedly done to bring out the reclining giant in an individual. Geniuses are not necessarily born, they can be made, raised, cultured, and developed, by using the power of practice.

Your Mind; Your Practice

The mind of a man is the key to unlocking his genius. A genius is believed to be an exceptionally intelligent, creative, or talented person. He is believed to be one who stands out tall among the group, definitely not by virtue of physical height but by the display of mental acumen. However, checking through the history books, not every exceptionally creative or talented person our world has witnessed started out smart. Some had been previously tagged no-goods, disabled, never-do-wells, even drop-outs in their immediate environment, but at a moment of realization (whether through self or encouraged by another), a positive change was initiated. A change that brought to full use the greatness that lies within.

Interestingly, geniuses most times do not follow the tested and trusted pathway. They chart courses unknown, they dare to take calculated risks, persevering and determinedly pursuing a goal with repeated performances till it is mastered. Thomas Edison tried creating his light bulb with so many attempts before he got it right. However, in his mind, he was not failing; he was only learning by these repeated attempts. His mind was being put to repeated constructive engagement till the day he got it right. In his words, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

Believe it or not, the mind of a man is locked. There is a natural protective structure to guard jealously the treasures that it contains. It is with dedicated and disciplined practice that these limitless resources can be accessed.

If you think you are struggling with mastering your discipline, field, or vocation, give it an investment of dedicated practice. Continue at it with renewed passion every day, you will be shocked at how much you will discover you can do. And if at this stage, you are still wondering how your practice affects your mind and your genius, I will leave you with these two quotes even as I conclude:

“Practice puts brains in your muscles"

“Practice is the alchemy that turns effort into effortlessness”

Dare to practice, and be prepared for the amazing greatness that will be unraveled. If you are willing, you can obtain the perfection you so much desire. It begins with you; it begins with your practice!