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116 changes: 73 additions & 43 deletions content/en/practices/wax_on_wax_off.md
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title = "Wax on, wax off"
subtitle = "Practice, Rinse, Repeat. Then practice some more."
author = "Stijn Dejongh"
problem = "You find it hard to apply a new skill or idea in your daily life."
description = "Practice. Rinse, and repeat. Then practice some more."
description="Establish a routine of repeatable exercises to master new skills and make techniques second nature through consistent practice."
summary="""
Master new skills by focusing on repeatable exercises that fit your schedule. Consistent practice helps deepen understanding and make techniques second nature.
"""
categories = [
"learning",
]
tags = [
"training", "repetition", "strategic learning"
"training", "repetition", "strategic learning", "mastery", "consistency"
]
uuid="8c3df901-eefa-4dd1-970a-c00cf3b55379"
aliases=["8c3df901-eefa-4dd1-970a-c00cf3b55379"]
outputs = ['html','rss', 'json']
ammerse = [
{name = "agile", delta = "0"},
{name = "minimal", delta = "0.5"},
{name = "maintainable", delta = "1"},
{name = "environmental", delta = "0"},
{name = "reachable", delta = "0.5"},
{name = "solvable", delta = "0"},
{name = "extensible", delta = "0"},
outputs = ['html', 'json']
ammerse = [
{name = "agile", delta = "0", rationale = "Reinforces foundational skills but may introduce slight rigidity."},
{name = "minimal", delta = "0", rationale = "Promotes simplicity but risks over-complication if too many variations are introduced."},
{name = "maintainable", delta = "0.8", rationale = "Strongly supports maintainability by ensuring retention of core skills."},
{name = "environmental", delta = "0", rationale = "No significant impact on environmental factors."},
{name = "reachable", delta = "0.7", rationale = "Emphasizes setting small, achievable goals with a focus on skill development."},
{name = "solvable", delta = "0.7", rationale = "Positively impacts problem-solving with minor risks of reduced flexibility."},
{name = "extensible", delta = "0.4", rationale = "Supports extensibility but may limit application in more advanced scenarios."}
]

pubdate="2023-09-10"
image = "practices/wax_on_cover.webp"
related_concepts = [
"a49f917b-c560-462a-ac38-46515f6f62d0", "98cc5f46-409b-44df-9fb8-fb1d881970b5"
]
related_practices = [
"09986d9e-cd80-4016-8000-c62ed5064914"
]
further_exploration = [
{ type="biblio", id="f537c66d-38e8-40cc-aa94-81880f270475"},
{ type="biblio", id="d33fc09e-39c6-411e-a70e-2ca98375abd6"},
{ type="raw", author="Handelsman, M. M. PhD", year="2022", title="Consider the Role of Repetition in the Classroom... Again", site="Psychology Today", link="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-ethical-professor/202202/let-s-consider-the-role-repetition-in-the-classroom-again" },
{ type="raw", author="Hogan, B. P.", year="2015", isbn="9781680501223", title="Exercises for Programmers: 57 Challenges to Develop Your Coding Skills", publisher="The Pragmatic Bookshelf", link="https://pragprog.com/titles/bhwb/exercises-for-programmers" }
]
+++

{{<quote text="I fear not the man who has practised 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times" author="Bruce Lee">}}

## Problem statement

You are learning a new skill, and have understood the basic principles or idea. Applying your budding knowledge consistently is proving to be a
Expand All @@ -38,6 +53,20 @@ challenge.
* Gain a deeper understanding of the skill you are attempting to master.
* Make corresponding techniques second nature, so you do not have to think about how you are doing something while you are doing it.

## Solution

* Identify an easily repeatable exercise[^1]
* Ideally, the exercise takes a maximum of 30 minutes to complete
* For most skills, you can find a compendium of recommended exercises online or in books.
* Perform the chosen exercise multiple times
* at first focussing intently on how you are doing in detail, going as slow as needed to not make any mistakes
* repeat the exercise at least weekly, but aim for a higher frequency at first
* once you are able to perform the required actions without needing to actively think about them, start slowly increasing your speed
* Revisit your practice regularly, even if you have moved on to more advanced skills and their corresponding exercises. It pays dividends to
retrain your fundamentals.

{{<quote text="I fear not the man who has practised 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times" author="Bruce Lee">}}

## Contextual forces

### Enablers
Expand All @@ -57,20 +86,6 @@ The following factors prevent effective application of the practice:
* You do not know where to start, and have no means of learning from a skilled practitioner.
* You have a tendency to jump to a new and shiny thing before understanding yor current objective.

## Solution

![Scene from the Karate Kid film.](/images/practices/miyagi_wax_on.gif)

* Identify an easily repeatable exercise[^1]
* Ideally, the exercise takes a maximum of 30 minutes to complete
* For most skills, you can find a compendium of recommended exercises online or in books.
* Perform the chosen exercise multiple times
* at first focussing intently on how you are doing in detail, going as slow as needed to not make any mistakes
* repeat the exercise at least weekly, but aim for a higher frequency at first
* once you are able to perform the required actions without needing to actively think about them, start slowly increasing your speed
* Revisit your practice regularly, even if you have moved on to more advanced skills and their corresponding exercises. It pays dividends to
retrain your fundamentals.

## Rationale

* Repetition works. Repeating stuff helps you remember. Also, repetition works.
Expand All @@ -80,7 +95,37 @@ The following factors prevent effective application of the practice:
* Focusing on a smaller subsection of techniques helps make them manageable.
* Honing your skills in a stress-free environment allows you to reinforce the concepts and techniques, avoiding debilitating panic reactions.

## Consequences
## Application

### Consequences

Applying this pattern of repeatable exercises can lead to the following outcomes:

* **Increased Proficiency:** By consistently practising the same exercise, you will likely see a marked improvement in your ability to perform
the skill. The repetition helps reinforce the technique, making it more instinctive and easier to recall in real-world scenarios.
* **Enhanced Confidence:** As you become more proficient through repetition, your confidence in your abilities will grow. Knowing that you have
mastered the fundamentals can give you a solid foundation to tackle more complex challenges.
* **Risk of Monotony:** There is a possibility that the repetitive nature of the exercises could lead to boredom or a lack of motivation over
time. Without variation, the practice might become stale, reducing its effectiveness.
* **Neglect of Broader Skill Set:** Focusing intensely on a specific exercise or set of exercises might cause you to overlook other important
aspects of the skill. This could lead to a narrow skill set that lacks versatility.
* **Overtraining:** In physical skills, particularly, there is a risk of overtraining if the exercises are not balanced with rest or variation.
This can lead to fatigue or even injury, negating the benefits of practice.

### Mitigation strategies

To mitigate the potential negative consequences of this pattern:

* **Introduce Variation:** Periodically vary your exercises to keep practice sessions engaging. You can modify the exercises slightly or
alternate between different but related exercises to maintain interest while still reinforcing core skills.
* **Set Clear Goals:** Establish specific, achievable goals for your practice sessions. This can help maintain focus and motivation by giving
you something concrete to work toward.
* **Balance with Broader Training:** Ensure that your practice routine includes a mix of focused repetition and broader skill development. This
helps you build a well-rounded skill set and prevents the neglect of other important areas.
* **Monitor for Signs of Fatigue:** Be mindful of signs of physical or mental fatigue, especially if your exercises are physically demanding.
Incorporate rest days or lighter practice sessions as needed to prevent overtraining.
* **Seek Feedback:** Regularly seek feedback from a mentor, coach, or peer to ensure that your practice is effective and that you are not
reinforcing bad habits. This external perspective can help you stay on track and continue improving.

## Examples

Expand All @@ -103,21 +148,6 @@ While this is not training in the same way as performing a kata, it can be a use
* [Google summer of code challenges](https://summerofcode.withgoogle.com/)


## Further Exploration

* {{<reference author="Handelsman, M. M. PhD"
year="2022"
title="Consider the Role of Repetition in the Classroom... Again"
site="Psychology Today"
link="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-ethical-professor/202202/let-s-consider-the-role-repetition-in-the-classroom-again" >}}
* {{<reference author="Hogan, B. P."
year="2015"
isbn="9781680501223"
title="Exercises for Programmers: 57 Challenges to Develop Your Coding Skills"
publisher="The Pragmatic Bookshelf"
link="https://pragprog.com/titles/bhwb/exercises-for-programmers" >}}
---

[^1]: In martial arts, this is called a "kata". A kata is generally a select few movements, which are executed in a fixed order at a fixed
cadence. Even though these are solitary drills, practitioners are told to imagine they are fighting against real opponents while performing
their routines.

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