Episode 641: The Art and Science of Improving ANY Skill In Half The Time with Laido Dittmar
Oct 23, 2023
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Laido Dittmar, Cirque du Soleil performer and author of The Art of Practice, shares how to improve any skill in half the time. Topics include the importance of perfect practice, common behaviors of naturals, the key to progress, and the role of energy and focus in skill improvement.
Progress slows down not because the skill becomes harder, but because the level of difficulty is relative to one's current skill level.
Switching to more difficult tasks once a certain level of proficiency is achieved accelerates progress and prevents stagnation.
Training at a faster pace than one's current ability helps develop new capabilities and build speed and skill in a particular area.
Deep dives
Progress is not linear
When starting to practice a skill, progress tends to happen rapidly, but as the skill improves, progress often slows down. The mistake people make is thinking that progress slows down because the skill becomes harder. However, the level of difficulty is relative to one's current skill level. The key is to push beyond one's comfort zone and continue to practice at a level that challenges and pushes the limits of the skill.
Switch to more difficult tasks
Once a certain level of proficiency is achieved in a skill, it's important to switch to more difficult tasks rather than mastering the current level. By doing so, one continues to push boundaries and activate adaptation. This accelerates progress and prevents stagnation.
Train faster than current ability
To build speed and skill in a particular area, it's more effective to train at a faster pace than one's current ability. Pushing beyond one's perceived limits helps the body and mind adapt to the increased stress and develop new capabilities.
Believe in oneself
Having strong beliefs and confidence in one's abilities is crucial for success. Believing that one is the best and capable of achieving greatness helps overcome challenges and motivates one to put in the necessary effort to improve and excel.
Start with the new and challenging things
The podcast discusses the importance of prioritizing new and challenging tasks at the beginning of a practice session. Rather than leaving them until the end when energy and focus are depleted, it is more effective to start with the most demanding tasks when energy levels are high. This allows for better progress and improvement in skills.
The illusion of success in the entertainment industry
The podcast also delves into the dark side of the entertainment industry, particularly in the circus world. It highlights the vast difference between the dream that artists are sold and the harsh reality of corruption, exploitation, and limited opportunities. The speaker shares their goal of establishing a new system that provides fair and rewarding careers for artists based on talent and dedication, challenging the existing flawed system.
We’ve all heard the phrase, “practice makes perfect”, but in reality, it’s perfect practice that makes progress. Today’s special guest is Laido Dittmar, and he is here to share how you can improve or enhance any skill imaginable by using a better strategy for practice!
Laido is a Cirque du Soleil Performer, coach and author of The Art of Practice, and I can say that this episode is easily one of the most fascinating ones that we’ve ever aired on this podcast. I hope you enjoy listening to Laido as much as I did, because I want you to master the skills that will allow you to help more people, make more money, and to progress in any area of your life that you desire to.
If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories and tag us, @jameswedmore, @jeunejenni & @laidodittmar!
In this episode you’ll hear:
The main message Laido shares in his book and what he specializes in with the work that he does today
His own beginnings with practicing and why he didn’t give up, despite not initially progressing like he wanted to
The way Laido realized that naturals in any skill think alike and have common behaviors
Why he says that often just one small shift can change everything in a practice routine, and his simple rules for progressing
The very first thing that people usually get wrong when aiming for progress in practice
What Laido says are the top skills that he had to learn in order to get his message out to the world with his own business
The real difference he has seen between naturals and non-naturals at any skill
An exercise that Laido does himself in order to maintain focus in his day
Laido’s purpose in the world and how he is using his work to eliminate injustices that he sees