Can I start with something Captain Obvious might observe? It’s a new year. If I use all the same tools as I have always used, will I likely get the same results as I got in the old year? No, doy, most likely. So what to do?

Equally obvious is that we could just adopt new tools or failing that we could adopt an old term, “app-smashing”, and force wildly divergent tools into proximal zones.

I prefer to widen the realm of the adjacent possibility. For example we could include the “ideas” as tools. What I mean is that ideas ARE tools and that we can wield them as such.

For example, I have noticed in my reading that the term “invisible practice” has risen to the top of my personal knowledge pool.

Invisible practice is a concept that refers to the unseen, often private efforts individuals make to improve their skills or knowledge. It encompasses the behind-the-scenes work that contributes to mastery but is not readily apparent to others. This idea is particularly relevant in writing and learning contexts.

Gail Sher, in her book “One Continuous Mistake: Four Noble Truths for Writers,” explores the concept of invisible practice in relation to writing. She emphasizes the importance of consistent, often unseen work in developing one’s craft. Sher suggests that the act of writing itself, even when not producing publishable material, is a form of invisible practice that hones skills and deepens understanding.

Steven Pressfield, in “The War of Art,” discusses a related concept he calls “Resistance.” While not explicitly using the term “invisible practice,” Pressfield describes the unseen forces that writers and artists must overcome to engage in their craft. This internal struggle and the effort to overcome it can be seen as a form of invisible practice.

Other sources highlight the application of invisible practice in learning and skill development:

1. In education, invisible practice can take the form of repetitive exercises designed to improve automaticity and fluency in writing. This type of practice helps students internalize the mechanics of writing, making the process less effortful over time.

2. In sports and music, invisible practice refers to the countless hours of individual training that athletes and musicians undertake outside of formal practice sessions or performances. This unseen work is crucial for skill development and mastery.

3. The concept of “deliberate practice,” popularized by psychologist Anders Ericsson, aligns with invisible practice. It involves focused, often solitary efforts to improve specific aspects of performance.

4. In language learning, invisible practice can include activities like silent reading, mental rehearsal of vocabulary, or listening to target language media without actively producing speech.

By incorporating invisible practice into writing and learning routines, individuals can make steady progress in their skills, even when that progress is not immediately evident to others. This approach emphasizes the value of consistent effort and the importance of process over immediate results in skill development.

How do we “practice” invisible practice?

Begin to notice your personal invisible practice. In other words, make it visible to your own awareness. For example, I began this page where I am gathering the various invisible practice.

 

Here’s how Gail Sher incorporates invisible practice in her writing :

1. Daily writing as a spiritual practice: Sher views writing as inseparable from her spiritual practice, treating it with the same dedication and consistency as her Zen meditation. She attends her writing periods with the same spirit as attending periods of zazen, emphasizing the importance of showing up regularly regardless of the outcome.

2. Embracing the unknown: Sher emphasizes remaining in the realm of the unknown while writing. She states, “I don’t write what I already know…My writing arises, and I am constantly surprised by it”. This approach allows for unexpected discoveries and insights to emerge through the practice of writing itself.

3. Creating a supportive environment: Sher stresses the importance of establishing both an inner and outer environment that supports the writing practice. She refers to this as creating an “inner environment of ‘prowling’ intention and an outer environment that is harmonious with your goals”.

4. Focusing on process over product: Sher’s approach aligns with the idea that “writing is a process” and “you don’t know what your writing will be until the end of the practice”. This perspective encourages writers to engage in the act of writing without being overly concerned with the final outcome.

5. Consistency and commitment: Sher emphasizes that “if writing is your practice, the only way to fail is not to write”. This principle encourages writers to maintain their practice even when they feel uninspired or face challenges.

By incorporating these elements of invisible practice, Sher creates a writing approach that is deeply intertwined with her spiritual practice, fostering continuous growth and discovery through the act of writing itself.

Steven Pressfield’s work incorporates several examples of invisible practice, particularly in relation to overcoming what he calls “Resistance” and developing a professional mindset towards creative work:

1. Daily writing routine: Pressfield emphasizes the importance of showing up to write every day, regardless of inspiration or mood. This consistent, often unseen practice is crucial for developing one’s craft.

2. Mental preparation: Before starting work, Pressfield suggests a ritual of mental preparation, likening it to a martial artist entering a dojo or a monk entering a temple. This invisible practice involves purifying one’s mind and approaching the work with humility.

3. Physical exercise: Pressfield uses early morning exercise as a way to counteract negative thoughts and prepare for the day’s creative work. This physical practice serves as an invisible foundation for his writing.

4. Changing environment: Getting out of the house is another invisible practice Pressfield uses to combat Resistance and prepare for creative work.

5. Treating work as sacred: Pressfield advocates for viewing one’s creative space and practice as sacred, which involves an invisible shift in mindset and approach to the work.

6. Focusing on the process: Pressfield emphasizes the importance of engaging in the work itself without being overly concerned with the outcome, a form of invisible practice that develops resilience and skill over time.

7. Recognizing and combating Resistance: A significant part of Pressfield’s invisible practice involves identifying and actively working against the internal force he calls Resistance, which tries to prevent creative work.

These examples of invisible practice in Pressfield’s work highlight the importance of consistent, often unseen efforts in developing creativity and overcoming internal obstacles to productive work.

Invisible practice can be applied to various creative fields beyond writing, enhancing skill development and fostering creativity in numerous ways:

1. Visual Arts: Artists can engage in daily sketching or color studies, even if these works are never shown publicly. This consistent practice helps refine techniques and explore new ideas.

2. Music: Musicians can incorporate silent practice, mental rehearsals, or listening exercises to improve their understanding of music theory and composition without actually playing an instrument.

3. Dance: Dancers can use visualization techniques to mentally rehearse choreography or practice body awareness exercises to improve their overall performance.

4. Theater: Actors can engage in character development exercises, voice training, or script analysis outside of formal rehearsals to deepen their understanding of roles.

5. Photography: Photographers can practice composition by framing potential shots without actually taking pictures, training their eye to see compelling images in everyday life.

6. Film and Video: Filmmakers can engage in storyboarding, shot planning, or script revisions as forms of invisible practice to refine their storytelling skills.

7. Design: Designers can maintain idea journals, practice rapid prototyping, or analyze existing designs to develop their creative thinking and problem-solving abilities.

8. Culinary Arts: Chefs can experiment with flavor combinations mentally, study food science, or practice knife skills without actually cooking full dishes.

Here is an AI consideration of this term and practice as well: