Deliberate Practice at Work: The Science of Getting Better (And How You Can Use It Daily)

Most people improve their skills simply by doing their job. But the truth is: repetition alone doesn’t guarantee growth. Some people do the same tasks for years without getting noticeably better — while others improve quickly.

The difference is something called deliberate practice. It’s a research-backed approach to getting better on purpose, and the best part? You don’t need a coach, a course, or extra time in your day. You just need intention.

Here’s how anyone can use deliberate practice to build new skills, create workplace learning habits, and grow faster at work.

1. Focus on one small skill at a time

Deliberate practice works best when you zoom in on something specific - not “be better at communication,” but “ask clearer questions in meetings.”

Small focus → big progress.

Try today:

• Pick one tiny skill that would make your work easier.

• Practice it in your next task or meeting.

• Repeat it a few times during the week.

This turns everyday tasks into practical learning at work.

2. Practice with intention, not autopilot

We all know the feeling of rushing through tasks on autopilot. But learning happens when you slow down just enough to think, “How can I do this slightly better than last time?”

Try:

• Pause before a task and choose one thing to improve.

• After the task, take 30 seconds to reflect on how it went.

• Adjust something small the next time.

Intentional tweaks lead to real work learning.

3. Ask for quick, targeted feedback

Great practice includes great feedback - but it doesn’t have to be formal.

Instead of asking, “Any feedback?” try something specific like:

• “Was that explanation clear?”

• “Did this email structure make sense?”

• “What’s one thing I could try differently next time?”

This helps you refine the micro-skill you’re working on.

4. Repeat and refine in short cycles

Deliberate practice doesn’t mean doing something perfectly - it means trying, adjusting, and trying again.

Think: small repetitions → fast improvement.

Try:

• Repeat the same type of task with one small improvement each time.

• Keep your experiment small — two or three repetitions is enough.

This creates everyday development skills without extra effort.

5. Watch how others do it - and borrow what works

Observation is an underrated learning method. Watching someone who’s good at a skill gives you a ready-made blueprint.

Ideas:

• Pay attention to how skilled colleagues open meetings

• Notice how someone structures their presentations

• Observe how people handle difficult conversations

• Ask, “Can I shadow you for five minutes?”

Seeing someone else’s approach fuels your own.

6. Track small wins so you can see your progress

One of the reasons people stop practicing is because they don’t notice their improvement.

Try keeping a very simple record, such as:

• one sentence per day

• a short note on what you practiced

• a tiny “win” list

This reinforces learning that sticks and builds momentum.

7. Make it a weekly habit

You don’t need a major plan. You just need consistency.

Here’s a simple weekly routine:

1. Pick one small skill.

2. Practice it intentionally during real work.

3. Ask for one piece of feedback.

4. Adjust next time.

That’s deliberate practice in action - and it works.

Final takeaway

Deliberate practice is the fastest way to improve any skill at work. And it’s surprisingly simple:

• Choose one micro-skill

• Try it deliberately

• Get quick feedback

• Adjust

• Repeat

Small, focused steps turn everyday tasks into a powerful learning engine.

Growth doesn’t require more time. It requires more intention.

Sources:

• Ericsson, K. A., Krampe, R. T., & Tesch-Römer, C. (1993). The role of deliberate practice in expert performance. Psychological Review.

• Ericsson, K. A. (2016). Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise.

• Kolb, D. (1984). Experiential Learning.