We become who we are going to be someday through practice, and we will excel at the things that we practice.
“Who we are going to be” doesn’t refer to doctor, lawyer or firefighter. It doesn’t even mean “great public speaker,” or “fiction writer” or “people manager.” We have to right-size our lens to the component parts that we can actually, manageably practice. And we have to remember that, conscious or not, we are always practicing many things.
We can practice generosity, openness, and stillness.
We can practice being courageous, not taking it all so personally, and seeking out others’ strengths.
We can practice demagoguery, reinforcing our biases, blaming others, and deflecting criticism.
We can practice objectifying others, defining “us” by demonizing “them,” and stoking fear.
We can practice hiding, critiquing, standing on the sidelines.
We can practice raising our hands first, doing the work, being reliable.
We can practice speaking in a way that others understand and relate to, every time
We can practice telling stories and using the words “for example.”
We can practice telling ourselves a story about our own limitations, and that this is all we will ever be.
Or we can practice being honest with ourselves, not shying away from our fears, and seeking out feedback.
And of course, most important at all, we can practice practicing.
Whatever we practice, that is what we become.
