The Practicing Mind
Developing Focus and Discipline in Your Life
Book Edition Details
Summary
Stumble, rise, repeat—it's the rhythm of early life, a dance of persistence that somehow fades as adulthood takes over. In "The Practicing Mind," Thomas Sterner reignites that lost art of practice, challenging our modern obsession with speed and instant outcomes. Through his lens as both a musician and a novice golfer, Sterner explores the transformative power of deliberate, mindful effort. He reveals how true practice is not a means to an end but a joyful journey that sharpens focus and soothes the mind. For those yearning to embrace progress over perfection, this book offers a refreshing blueprint to harness anxiety, savor each step, and ultimately, reclaim the joy of learning.
Introduction
In our fast-paced world where instant results dominate our expectations, we often find ourselves caught in an endless cycle of frustration and impatience. Whether struggling to learn a new skill, advance in our careers, or simply maintain inner peace during daily challenges, we frequently feel overwhelmed by the gap between where we are and where we want to be. The secret lies not in rushing toward our goals, but in fundamentally shifting how we approach the journey itself. When we learn to embrace the process rather than fixate on outcomes, we discover that mastery becomes not just achievable, but deeply fulfilling. This transformation begins with understanding that everything worthwhile in life requires practice, and the quality of that practice determines not only our success but our happiness along the way.
Focus on Process, Not Product
The foundation of all meaningful progress lies in a simple yet profound shift in perspective: prioritizing the process over the product. This means directing your attention toward what you are doing right now, rather than constantly measuring yourself against your ultimate goal. When you focus on the process, you enter a state where every moment of effort counts as success, eliminating the anxiety that comes from constantly judging your progress. Consider the story of Thomas Sterner's experience in a six-week golf class. While his fellow students grew increasingly frustrated with their lack of progress, Sterner approached each lesson differently. After every class, he would stay for additional practice, then go home and spend time in his basement making hundreds of practice swings in front of a mirror. Most importantly, he ignored what the ball flight looked like, focusing instead on perfecting the individual components of his swing. His classmates, meanwhile, skipped practice sessions altogether, hoping to simply "wake up one morning and be able to play well." The transformation was remarkable. While others grew discouraged and quit attending practice sessions, Sterner found himself energized by the process. He discovered that immersing himself in the mechanics of improvement actually provided relief from daily stress, creating a peaceful sanctuary where only the present moment mattered. His swing improved rapidly, not because he was naturally gifted, but because he had learned to find fulfillment in the act of practicing itself. To implement this approach, begin by redefining your goal. Instead of aiming to "complete" a project or "master" a skill, make your goal the act of engaging fully with the process. When learning something new, focus on executing one element at a time with complete attention. Accept that mistakes are simply information rather than failures, and use them to adjust your approach without emotional judgment. Remember that this shift requires patience with yourself as you break old habits of result-focused thinking. Start with shorter practice sessions where you can maintain process-focused attention, gradually building your capacity for sustained present-moment awareness. The paradox is that when you stop chasing the outcome, it comes to you with much greater ease and satisfaction.
Cultivate Present-Moment Awareness
Present-moment awareness forms the cornerstone of effective practice and peaceful living. When your attention rests fully in the current moment, you eliminate the mental chatter that creates stress and divides your energy. This state of focused attention allows you to perform at your highest level while experiencing a deep sense of calm and control. Sterner discovered this principle during his work as a concert piano technician, a profession requiring meticulous attention to thousands of minute adjustments. On one particularly demanding day with an overwhelming schedule, he decided to experiment with deliberate slowness. Instead of rushing through tasks, he consciously slowed every movement, taking tools from his case one at a time and performing each adjustment with careful attention. His internal dialogue initially protested this approach, screaming that he would never finish on time. The results defied all expectations. Despite his intention to work slowly, Sterner completed the job 40 percent faster than usual. By eliminating the scattered energy of rushing and worry, he had actually increased his efficiency dramatically. The work that typically exhausted him became energizing, and he found himself ahead of schedule with time for a leisurely meal. This experience revealed a fundamental truth: when we give our complete attention to the task at hand, we accomplish more with less effort and far greater satisfaction. To develop present-moment awareness, start with simple daily activities like brushing your teeth or washing dishes. Commit to performing these tasks slowly and deliberately, paying attention to every sensation and movement. When you notice your mind wandering to future tasks or past events, gently redirect your attention to the physical sensations of what you are doing right now. Practice the "one thing at a time" principle throughout your day. Rather than multitasking, give your full attention to each activity in sequence. This approach may initially feel inefficient, but you will soon discover that focused attention produces better results in less time, while creating a profound sense of peace and competence.
Build Discipline Through Simple Habits
True discipline emerges not from willpower alone, but from understanding how habits form and consciously creating the patterns you desire. Every behavior you exhibit is essentially a habit, from how you respond to criticism to which thoughts you entertain. By taking control of habit formation, you can systematically build the disciplined mind you seek. Research in sports psychology reveals that repeating a specific action sixty times per day for twenty-one days creates a new habit that becomes naturally ingrained. Sterner applied this principle when learning archery, practicing his draw technique in short, focused sessions throughout each day. Rather than struggling through lengthy practice periods, he broke the repetitions into manageable sets that fit easily into his schedule. Within three weeks, the proper form felt completely natural, replacing his previous haphazard approach. The key to successful habit formation lies in working with your natural learning processes rather than against them. Sterner used "triggers" to initiate new behavioral patterns. For example, when learning to respond more calmly to difficult people, he used the initial flash of irritation as a signal to pause and consciously choose his response. This moment of awareness created space between stimulus and reaction, allowing him to act from choice rather than automatic habit. Begin by identifying one specific behavior you want to change or develop. Break this behavior down into its smallest components and choose just one element to focus on initially. Create a simple trigger that will remind you to practice this new response, such as taking a deep breath when you feel stressed or pausing before checking your phone. Practice your chosen behavior deliberately and consistently, but in short sessions that feel manageable rather than overwhelming. Remember that you are literally rewiring your brain through repetition, so consistency matters more than intensity. Track your repetitions without judging your performance, focusing solely on completing the practice whether you feel like it or not. Within a few weeks, you will notice the new behavior beginning to feel natural and automatic.
Transform Judgment into Peaceful Action
The pathway to inner peace lies through the practice of nonjudgment, which quiets the mental chatter that creates stress and emotional turbulence. Most of our suffering comes not from circumstances themselves, but from our judgments about whether those circumstances are good or bad, right or wrong. Learning to observe without immediately evaluating frees tremendous energy for constructive action. When Sterner lost a significant piano restoration contract just days before the work was scheduled to begin, his immediate reaction followed a predictable pattern. His ego launched into protests about the unfairness of the situation, generating anxiety about lost income and disrupted plans. However, he had learned to recognize this response and step back into what he called the "Observer" perspective. Instead of being swept away by emotional reactions, he could watch them arise with detached awareness. Using his "DOC" technique (Do, Observe, Correct), Sterner transformed what could have been weeks of frustration into an opportunity for growth. When anxiety arose, he observed it objectively rather than fighting it or being consumed by it. He corrected his response by choosing to see the situation as simply part of the natural ebb and flow of business, neither good nor bad in itself. This approach allowed him to focus his energy on solutions rather than problems, quickly filling the empty schedule with new work. To develop nonjudgmental awareness, begin by noticing when you automatically label experiences as good or bad. Practice observing situations with the detachment you might feel when watching a movie, curious about what will happen next but not emotionally invested in the outcome. When you catch yourself making judgments, don't judge the judging. Simply notice it and gently redirect your attention to what needs to be done. Implement the DOC process in challenging situations. When facing difficulty, first acknowledge what is happening without resistance. Then observe your thoughts and emotions about the situation with curiosity rather than criticism. Finally, correct your response by choosing actions aligned with your values rather than reactions driven by emotion. This practice transforms every challenge into an opportunity to strengthen your capacity for peaceful, effective action.
Summary
The practicing mind represents a fundamental shift from our culture's obsession with immediate results to a deeper appreciation for the journey of growth itself. As Sterner discovered through his musical and professional experiences, "When you focus on the process, the desired product takes care of itself with fluid ease." This wisdom applies whether you are learning a skill, building a business, or simply trying to find more peace in daily life. The secret lies not in achieving some future state of perfection, but in fully engaging with whatever you are doing right now, treating each moment of effort as both the means and the end. Start today by choosing one activity and committing to focus entirely on the process rather than the outcome, discovering for yourself the profound satisfaction that comes from a truly present and disciplined mind.
Related Books
Download PDF & EPUB
To save this Black List summary for later, download the free PDF and EPUB. You can print it out, or read offline at your convenience.
By Thomas M. Sterner
