For many years I believed that practice makes perfect, as I was told that many times by different people and coaches. This belief was taught to me because for many years I have played sports and wanted to make myself better. So I practiced often late into the night and on many weekends even if I didn’t want to. I sacrificed by missing parties, spending time with my friends, and just time for myself trying to become a better athlete. I actually wished I was at the party or with my friends just going through the motions thinking being there would make me better, often the best part of practice was socializing.
On one occasion after we lost a softball game, my coach gave us an example after losing at the ASA softball state tournament. The example was if any of us brush our teeth with the wrong side of the toothbrush. We all wonder to ourselves what that meant. He then told us that we could brush our teeth like that our whole life and we would still be doing it wrong. He then said that you have to do it with the right side and the right way because practice doesn’t make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect and then we all understood what he meant.
Once this was explained to me I understood that not only did I need to practice but that I need to try to practice perfectly. You don’t get better just showing up and going through the motions, you get better by making practice work for you by putting in the effort, trying hard and never slacking. For me to make the sacrifices worth it I needed to become a better player not only during the game but during practice when I didn’t think anyone was watching or didn’t think that anyone cared. Practice isn’t just a social occasion where I get better just by being there. You have to want to be there and believe that it will make a difference for my team and me.
In conclusion, I believe in the less popular saying that perfect practice makes perfect. This carries over into all parts of my life, whether it is sports, school, or just my everyday life. The better I become I make my team better and myself better. Practicing hard is also contagious its being open to criticism when you thought you did well and paying attention when somebody else is up and learning from them and their good plays and even their mistakes. At practice if you work hard you make others want to be better and try harder, socializing before and after practice instead and wanting to be there to make a difference. Practicing perfectly will help me now during sports and later during life. I've learned that the game doesn't start at the first pitch, it starts at every practice I go to. Although I know my sports career will be short but I can always hope to have a perfect life.
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