It has been a couple of weeks since I began the Copperplate class, and practice has made all the difference. Each week we have had homework and I have been diligent to spend time not only practicing but completing the assignment. And again practice has made all the difference.
Why is it that we have a hard time practicing? Is it just the time committment or is it the drudgery of having to face working on something that makes us uncomfortable? Is it because we know that the work completed during that time is not ‘the real thing’ and will eventually be overlooked? Is it that we want to know how to do it NOW and not have to wait and develop the skill? Or is it a combination of all those things? Whether it is practicing the piano, an athletic skill or a new alphabet, practice seems to be a challenge all around.
Funny how once we have gotten into the habit of practicing, that is when that “Ah, HAA” moment occurs and the drudgery is left behind. It is when creativity begins to flow and ideas in our head show up in our skills as executed ideas. It is when we no longer have to THINK about what we are trying to accomplish, we simply do. Practice is the foundation for skill, no matter the skill.
Even though perfection may not be the goal, practice does make perfect. And if you notice in the title of this post, the word ACT is buried in the word practice…that is no coincidence…we have to act!
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