Practicing Mind PDF

The Practicing Mind
Developing Focus and Discipline in Your Life -- Master Any Skill or
Challenge by Learning to Love the Process
Thomas M. Sterner

Book Overview from the Publisher

In those times when we want to acquire a new skill or face a formidable challenge we hope to overcome,
what we need most are patience, focus, and discipline, traits that seem elusive or difficult to maintain. In
this enticing and practical book, Thomas Sterner demonstrates how to learn skills for any aspect of life,
from golfing to business to parenting, by learning to love the process.

Early life is all about trial-and-error practice. If we had given up in the face of failure, repetition, and
difficulty, we would never have learned to walk or tie our shoes. So why, as adults, do we often give up
on a goal when at first we don’t succeed? In his study of how we learn (prompted by his pursuit of
disciplines such as music and golf), Sterner has found that we have forgotten the principles of practice —
the process of picking a goal and applying steady effort to reach it. The methods Sterner teaches show
that practice done properly isn’t drudgery on the way to mastery but a fulfilling process in and of itself,
one that builds discipline and clarity.

KEY POINTS COVERED IN THIS SUMMARY:

1. Process, not end goal - Why we need to shift from a goal mindset
to a process mindset
2. Building patience - How to build our patience in order to stay
focused on our process
3. When is a flower perfect - The right way to think about the steps
we take towards our goals
4. Analytical, not judgmental - Why we should choose analytical
thinking and how we can develop it among ourselves
1) Process, Not End Goal

A lot of times we think that once we achieve the result of a goal we are working on, then we'll
be happy. We think that the process to get there is an unnecessary nuisance. We just want to
be at the destination right away.

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If for example you are building your business, with this kind of mindset you just want to get the
end result rather than focus on the process of building the business. But that is a broken model.
From product orientation to process orientation

What we need to do instead is to shift from thinking about the goal to thinking about the
process.

When we are focused on the process or task as the end goal --
● It means we are accomplishing that goal every single day.
● Our mind becomes calm.
● The pressure on us is off.
● We can now focus on the task at hand and produce good results.
Think of the goal as a guideline

When we are attached to the result rather than the process, it makes us aware of the distance
between us and the end goal. We think, “If we are here and the goal is there, well, when will I
get there?” Again and again.

And even if we make some progress, we still think, “I'm still far away. I need to get this…” And
this creates a sense of impatience in us.

Rather than using that goal as a measure of how far we are, think of it as a guideline instead:
“Okay, this is where I am. I need to change course. I need to get to the goal and focus again on
the process rather than just on the outcome.”

Don't attach yourself to the outcome. Just use it as a guideline to direct yourself. Remove your
attachment to the goal and instead start thinking about how you can actually enjoy the process.
2) Building Patience

We need to build patience in order to be focused on trying to stay in the moment. This process
is where progress is, and we have to desire that process. We have to desire those tasks that
we're doing every single day in order to accomplish our goal. So we have to desire that practice
of being present in the moment and enjoy it.
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Enjoy the process

Paradoxically, when we desire such process and we are patient with it, we get the results much
faster. But we have to enjoy the journey. We would not hear of any great artist or celebrity who
says, “Well, I accomplished this goal but I never enjoyed the journey...” “I never enjoyed acting,
but I became a great actor…” “I never enjoyed this business but I built a great business…” “I
never enjoyed basketball, but I became a great basketball player.”

Things like these do not happen. It’s all about enjoying the practice and the process. This is
critical because patience can only happen when we are actually enjoying the process of doing
things. We can't just desire the end result and hope it will all work out.
3) When is a Flower Perfect?

How can we feel we're on the right track when we're not really getting the results?

Indeed, sometimes, even though we're doing the right things, the results still seem like they're
far away.

But consider this question: When is a flower perfect?
● Do you think it’s perfect when it's just a little bud?
● Do you think it's perfect while it's blooming?
● Or do you think it's perfect when it's completely bloomed?

Well, in every stage it is perfect -- and that's the way we need to think about our endeavors
and about our lives. We don't have to think that nothing will be right until we get to the
destination/goal/end product. That's not how it works.

What we need to do instead:
● Appreciate the journey.
● Appreciate the work.
● Don't just keep on judging how well we’re doing.
● Realize that true perfection is our ability to consistently put in the work, to grow, and to
become better.

So enjoy the fact that that you're putting in the work, that you're becoming better, and that
you're growing everyday. Just like a flower.
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4) Analytical, Not Judgmental
In order to develop a practicing mind, we need to move from being judgmental to being
analytical.

When we are analytical --
● We are actually just looking at what the situation is.
● We are not judging.
● We are not putting emotions into it.
● It just allows us to move forward.
● We can see where we’re going.
● We can make corrections in our course.

Judgments are laced with emotions. When we are judging, there's nothing positive that's
coming out of that situation. So in order to avoid this mindset of being a judge, we have to
become an observer.
Self-awareness

The whole idea of being an observer is self-awareness.

Realize that you are not your thoughts. Rather --
● You are the experiencer of your thoughts.
● You are the thinker of your thoughts. Examples:
○ You are not an angry person. You are the one who can see yourself as
sometimes being angry.
○ You are not the one who is unsuccessful. You can see yourself as sometimes not
being able to succeed at a certain thing.

Therefore, you can develop that self-awareness where you can observe yourself.

The key to becoming an observer: Use meditation.

When you can self-observe, you can self-correct without judging.
Meditation
Meditation is an exercise for your brain.
● Helps you notice
● Helps you improve yourself
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● Helps you constantly become a better observer
● Helps you become more analytical and less judgmental
● As a result, you become someone who enjoys the process and focuses on it rather than
just on the outcome.

The cool thing about it:
● You're never done.
● You can never be bad at it.

Related Books:
●

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The Practicing Mind

Book Overview from the Publisher

KEY POINTS COVERED IN THIS SUMMARY:

1) Process, Not End Goal

From product orientation to process orientation

Think of the goal as a guideline

3) When is a Flower Perfect?

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