If you want to get better at something, you need to practise. You don’t magically become a superstar pianist, dancer, writer, coach. You might be born with a modicum of talent, but it’s the hours of callous-developing work that gives you the edge. You need to sit yourself down and run through all the scales and arpeggios, finger exercises and other tiresome work that’s necessary to become a great pianist. If you aspire to dance, you need to get into the studio, stretch and warm up, work through the routines, first slowly and then faster, until you can do it in your sleep. If it’s public speaking that really excites you, learn how to prepare your talks and get yourself in front of people as often as possible to become more comfortable and get valuable feedback.

We’re told by the media that we can have anything now, and that it’s easy. If you want it, go get it, etc. Slogans sell, but a 30 second ad slot can’t show you all the hard work that goes into getting what you want. That’s where most people fail. They give up when they see the mountain they need to climb. They turn back into the comfort of the mediocre.

But that isn’t you. You see the challenge and it excites you. You want to get to the top to see what’s on the other side. You’re ready for it. So put your butt on the chair, proverbially or literally and get practising.

It’s a cliche, but the saying goes:

Don’t practice until you get it right, practise until you can’t get it wrong.