Pedal harder. Build you leg muscles and increase your stamina.
Wrong.
Watch cyclist Michael Guerra tap into the principles of aerodynamics in catching up on the race.
Just like feathers and wings don’t necessarily cause us to fly, when we understand the principles at play, methods abound.
When we see the methods, take the time to figure out the principle engine that drives the impact.
While the practice of psychotherapy is not about “getting faster” or winning some political race, how do we need to think about deliberate practice in our field? How do we shift our thinking about being good and more about getting better? Pedal harder, build your muscles and increase your stamina? Strength and endurance are necessary to get good. Something else is needed to get better.
Figure out the barriers, and solve the issues laterally, not literally.
Hi Daryl
Being a cyclist I loved this post but I’m not going to try that stunt on two wheels!
Seriously though, some years ago British Cycling adopted a systematic approach to winning medals in Olympic track cycling events. It was called “the aggregation of marginal gains”. Meticulous attention to lots of small detail. For the past two Olympics the Brits have cleaned up in the medal table.
How do we get better outcomes? Maybe it’s not one big “thing” but the aggregation of marginal therapeutic gains?
Thanks again!
Well, said Barry! I totally agree with the marginal gains idea.
Here’s another (British) way to think of it:
The London postage service had 98% success in sending their mail by the next day. In the name of excellence, they aimed to raise the bar to 99%. The process of doing so nearly broke everyone’s back.
Turns out, when asked of the public, people thought that the London mail was only successful 60% of the time.
The issue here is one of perceived value.
The solution: tell the British that their mail is better are than the Germans!