Courtney- Coyle- Ch. 1-2

Summary

Chapter 1 discusses what Coyle calls “The Sweet Spot.” This is a state of practicing where one is operating at the edge of their ability; working on something that is challenging but not too challenging. In the sweet spot one can make mistakes, think, and struggle through them, and try again slower or in a slightly easier way. Despite what one might thing, struggle and mistakes are an essential part of learning.

Application

In my practicing This means that in my practicing I need to approach mistakes with curiosity rather than frustration. It is also important to make the thing I am working on reasonable. I should not try and work on too many things at once as that would be too far outside my current level of capability. At the same time, I need to make sure I am focusing on something specific so that I can observe and catch mistakes.

Courtney-Coyle-Ch. 2

Summary

According to Coyle, one of the major goals in practicing is automaticity. Chapter 2 focuses on the role myelin plays in deep practice and the eventual automaticity of essential skills. Each time a circuit fires, it is wrapped in myelin which not only protects the circuit, but makes it fire more quickly and in better timing with other circuits. By practicing deeply, we are making it more likely that our circuits will fire without the same level of mental focus and at the same time as other essential circuits.

Application

In my practicing I need to remember that there are a lot of circuits to myelinate and therefore it is not plausible to deep practice them all at once. As I focus on one skill or phrase, I am helping myelinate that skill so that eventually it will become automatic and I can combine it efficiently with other skills/circuits.