Are You Too Good to Practice?

I love watching tennis (one day I will learn!), and one of my favorite players to watch was Sir Andy Murray. After an amazing career and sustaining many injuries, he retired last year.

I loved watching Andy Murray for his intensity, perseverance, and refusal to give up. He could be down two sets and somehow claw his way back, turning it into a three-hour-plus five-set match. I laughed when the commentators would pretty much count him out, but he knew he wasn’t done yet. That relentless commitment to pushing through? That comes from practice.

In one of his interviews, he shared how hard it has been not to be able to practice - and therefore play. He just couldn't push himself in practice the same way, so he knew he couldn't play the way he really wanted to.

Even legends recognize that practice is essential - not just to improve, but to sustain excellence.

If one of the greatest tennis players of all time needed practice to stay competitive, what makes the rest of us think we don’t?

Even the best athletes in the world still practice before every game. Practice is how they stay at an elite level - and how they continue to reach the next one.

Yet, in professional settings, we often treat practice as optional. We assume that once we reach a certain level in our careers, we should just know how to do things well. But the truth is, whether you're leading a team, selling a product, or honing a craft, practice is a non-negotiable.

Why We Prioritize Practice at Habits at Work

At Habits at Work, we believe practice is essential for transformation. We don’t just teach skills - we help people build the habits that make those skills stick.

But here’s the thing: You can’t form habits without dedicated practice. Habits aren’t about mindless repetition or autopilot. They’re intentional and consistent actions that shape long-term success.

Because here’s the reality: You can’t up-level, upskill, or "up-anything" without dedicated practice.

The Biggest Misconception About Practice

Many people avoid practice because they think it requires a lot of time. But research shows that small, intentional practice is more powerful than we think.

One of our favorite studies comes from researcher Ayako Sakakibara, who found that children who practiced the piano for only a few minutes a day were able to develop perfect pitch.

This challenges the myth that people are simply "born with" certain talents. Instead, it reinforces what we believe: Skills aren’t elusive. They are within reach - if you’re willing to practice.

What This Means for You

If you want to grow as a leader, a communicator, or a high-performer in your field, ask yourself:

• What’s one small skill I can intentionally practice every day? (It can be for 5-10 minutes!)
• Where am I assuming I should already be good at something instead of making room for practice?

For managers, this means creating time, space, and a safe environment for practice with your teams. Build in dedicated time in team meetings or 1:1s for skill development, role-playing, or feedback sessions. A team that practices together grows together.

For individual contributors, enlist your colleagues and managers as your coaches. Tell them what you’re working on and what you’re practicing so you can receive specific, meaningful feedback to improve. Growth doesn’t happen in a vacuum - bring others into your practice process.

The best in the world aren’t too good to practice. They practice because they are the best.

And for those who still think they don’t need practice? Not practicing is not the flex you think it is.

Oh, and one last thing - soft skills? They’re not soft at all. They’re essential. But that’s a post for another day.

What’s something you’ve gotten better at through small, consistent practice? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

PS - If anyone wants to learn tennis with me, please let me know. Spring is coming! ??

#Leadership #Habits #Practice #Upskilling #GrowthMindset #LeadershipDevelopment