Practice

We’ve all heard the saying, “Practice makes perfect.”  That’s actually incorrect.  (If you don’t believe me, just take cab drivers as an example.  They are living proof that practice doesn’t make perfect.)

A more accurate statement would be, “Practice makes permanent.”

One of Webster’s definitions of practice is “to perform or work at repeatedly, so as to become proficient.”

The key is to practice the proper procedures or techniques. 

When I go the golf course and practice a swing that is fundamentally incorrect…and do so repeatedly….all I am doing is training my body to swing the wrong way.  Continuing to practice this erroneous technique will never produce a perfect swing.  All it will do is reinforce the bad behavior and give me a permanently flawed motion.

Generally we practice for the “main event” or the real thing.  A musician practices, then she does the actual performance.  An athlete practices, then he performs in actual competition. 

So what’s the dealio with lawyers and doctors? Why are these folks always in a state of practice? 

We call what they do on a day-to-day basis “practicing medicine” or “practicing law.”  Are they not yet proficient?

And if they are truly practicing, are they practicing the right techniques?  I certainly hope so!  At least if a surgeon “mal-practices” on your body, you can see an attorney who practices malpractice!

But what happens if your lawyer is guilty of malpractice?  (And how would you really know since they seem to speak in a language of their own?)  Lawyers generally don’t sue other lawyers.

And if a doctor or lawyer botches it badly, then they haven’t been practicing the right stuff.  As one wise man once noted, “What a player does best, he should practice least.  Practice is for problems.”

And that brings me, full-circle, back to my golf swing.