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The Practicing Mind Summary
About The Practicing Mind Book
In those times when we want to acquire a new skill or face a formidable challenge we hope to overcome, what we need most are patience, focus, and discipline, traits that seem elusive or difficult to maintain. In this enticing and practical book, Thomas Sterner demonstrates how to learn skills for any aspect of life, from golfing to business to parenting, by learning to love the process. Early life is all about trial-and-error practice. If we had given up in the face of failure, repetition, and difficulty, we would never have learned to walk or tie our shoes. So why, as adults, do we often give up on a goal when at first we don’t succeed? Modern life’s technological speed, habitual multitasking, and promises of instant gratification don’t help. But in his study of how we learn (prompted by his pursuit of disciplines such as music and golf), Sterner has found that we have also forgotten the principles of practice — the process of picking a goal and applying steady effort to reach it. The methods Sterner teaches show that practice done properly isn’t drudgery on the way to mastery but a fulfilling process in and of itself, one that builds discipline and clarity. By focusing on “process, not product,” you’ll learn to live in each moment, where you’ll find calmness and equanimity. This book will transform a sense of futility around learning something challenging into an attitude of pleasure and willingness.
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All of life is practice in one form or another. Actively practising something is very different from passively learning. You will never reach a level of performance that feels complete, so learn to love the art of practicing your skill.
Effortless Effort
We miss the point that the ability to develop any skill as swiftly as possible, with the least amount of effort, and even to experience inner peace and joy in the process, is in fact a skill itself, and one that requires constant practice to become an effortless part of who we are.
When we subtly shift toward both focusing on and finding joy in the process of achieving instead of having the goal, we have gained a new skill. And once mastered, it is magical and incredibly empowering.
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The Normal, Accidental Mind
If you are not in control of your thoughts, then you are not in control of yourself. Without self-control, you have no real power, regardless of whatever else you accomplish.
If you are not aware of the thoughts that you think in each moment, then you are the rider with no reins, with no power over where you are going. You cannot control what you are not aware of. Awareness must come first
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The Practising Mind
The practising mind is quiet. It lives in the present and has laser-like, pinpoint focus and accuracy. It obeys our precise directions, and all our energy moves through it.
Because of this, we are calm and completely free of anxiety. We are where we should be at that moment, doing what we should be doing and completely aware of what we are experiencing. There is no wasted motion, physically or mentally.
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A short summary to the no-fluff book about meta-learning & bringing discipline to your life
The Learning Begins
- If you are not in control of your thoughts, then you are not in control of yourself.
- Without self-control, you have no real power, regardless of whatever else you can accomplish.
- If you are not aware of the thoughts that you think in each moment, then you are the rider with no reins, with no power over where you are going. You cannot control what you are not aware of.
- Awareness must come first.
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A Paradox of life
The problem with patience and discipline is that developing each of them requires both of them.
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Process, Not Product
We have a very unhealthy habit of making the product — our intended result — the goal, instead of the process of reaching that goal. When we practice something, we are involved in the deliberate repetition of a process with the intention of reaching a specific goal.
When you focus your mind on the present moment, on the process of what you are doing right now, you are always where you want to be and where you should be. In order to focus on the present, we must give up, at least temporarily, our attachment to our desired goal.
Be Process-oriented, rather than being result-oriented.
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Imagine yourself as a sculptor, with a block of marble in front of you. Your task is to chisel away, bit by bit, to reveal the masterpiece within. This process is not about the final sculpture but about each stroke of the chisel, each decision you make, and how you engage with the material in front of you. "The Practicing Mind" mirrors this approach, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the process rather than being fixated on the end result
IDEA
"The Practicing Mind" by Thomas M. Sterner emphasizes the importance of focusing on the process rather than the end result for personal and professional growth. Sterner advocates for present moment awareness, setting process-oriented goals, and cultivating discipline through small, consistent actions. He teaches embracing mistakes as learning opportunities and redefines success as engagement and progress in the journey, offering a transformative approach to mastering skills and achieving lasting satisfaction.
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The KeyWords
- Present Moment Focus: By concentrating on the task at hand, without the pressure of the end goal, we can achieve a state of flow, making our work more enjoyable and effective.
- Process Over Product: Sterner argues that focusing on the process, the 'doing' rather than the 'having done', not only makes the journey more fulfilling but also leads to better outcomes.
- Cultivating Discipline Through Small Steps: By breaking down tasks into smaller, manageable steps and focusing on each step at a time, we build discipline and make progress without the overwhelmed.
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1. STAYING PRESENT
Consider the act of listening to music. When fully engaged, you're not just waiting for your favorite part of the song; you're immersed in every note, every beat as it happens. This immersion is what Sterner advocates for in every task we undertake—finding the rhythm and melody in the process itself.
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Worth noting ideas from the book "The Practicing Mind"
The only way to achieve consistency in practice is to enjoy what you are doing and to understand its value.
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Aim for small, consistent improvements rather than immediate perfection. This helps build sustainable habits and reduces frustration.
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Striving for perfection can be paralyzing. Aim for progress continuous improvement instead.
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Practice, habit and work
- Habits are learned. Choose them wisely.
- Habit and practice are very interrelated. What we practice will become a habit.
- "Why would I need someone to make sure I do my job correctly?"answered the Japanese worker "That's my job ".
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Present
Being present
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Patience And Discipline
The most important part about Patience and Discipline is that inorder to develop each of them , you require both of them....
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