Author
Rudolph Victor Nieblas
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“I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.” ~ Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee’s words echo a truth I learned firsthand through years spent as a championship high school wrestler and a long-time martial artist. Success wasn’t about flashy, complex moves attempted sporadically. It was forged in the relentless, dedicated practice of the fundamentals – the basics drilled over, and over, and over again, long after we thought we’d “perfected” them.
I was fortunate to have coaches and instructors who believed deeply in this philosophy. They didn’t just show us a technique; they broke it down piece by piece. We had to understand each facet, the why behind every movement, and the precise steps required to reach the end goal effectively. Whether mastering a powerful sidekick, a complex spinning kick, or a wrestling takedown like the Granby roll, the process was the same: understand the objective, know the path, and practice each component with unwavering intention. Sloppiness wasn’t tolerated; focused, deliberate action was everything.
This principle – the power of intentional practice – extends far beyond the wrestling mat or the dojo. It’s a fundamental truth that applies directly to our pursuits as entrepreneurs and small business owners, especially when we’re driven by passion and purpose. There’s profound wisdom in the idea that “How we do anything is how we do everything.” Our habits, our focus (or lack thereof), and our underlying approach tend to permeate all areas of our lives and businesses.
But these principles aren’t confined solely to achieving business goals. At their core, they are practices in mindfulness. The focused attention, the deliberate action, the understanding of ‘why’ – this is mindfulness in motion. It’s one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, and its benefits ripple through every aspect of your existence. Think about it: How you intentionally train at the gym mirrors how you might focus on a crucial business proposal. How present and focused you are in a conversation reflects how you might listen to customer feedback. Whether you approach learning a new skill in sports with dedication or look for shortcuts mirrors how you might tackle challenges in your work. This focused, intentional approach impacts how you show up in life, period.
I saw this principle work wonders in a specific business context years ago. I consulted for a technology company constantly struggling with high turnover among their skilled (and expensive) network engineers. Borrowing from the martial arts playbook, we developed a modular training system – I called it ‘exponential training’ – aimed at their regular IT technicians. First, we used historical data to identify the absolute core, high-priority tasks the engineers performed most often. Then, like breaking down a complex kick, we broke down those specific tasks into focused training modules – online courses, certifications, hands-on labs.
The goal wasn’t to make the techs full engineers overnight, but to have them intentionally practice and master the most critical engineering duties. The results? The IT techs gained valuable new skills, became far more engaged in their work, and their pay increased (though still less than a full engineer’s). Most importantly for the company, engineer turnover plummeted because the skilled techs could now handle the essential functions, reducing the pressure and reliance on the senior engineers. It was a clear win, born from applying focused, intentional practice to a business problem – a specific application of that universal principle of mindfulness in action.
This deliberate approach is crucial because we live in a world overflowing with distractions. It’s easy to get caught up in chasing the next shiny object or simply going through the motions. Good intentions pave many paths, but intention alone isn’t enough to navigate the challenges of building something meaningful, especially when your time and energy are precious resources fueling your purpose.
The old saying “practice makes perfect” holds a kernel of truth, but it’s missing that crucial element: intention. Mere repetition without focused purpose doesn’t guarantee progress. It’s the deliberate, mindful approach – the intention behind the practice – that truly fuels growth, refinement, and the ability to overcome obstacles.
Think about it: Intentional practice makes perfect. When we approach tasks – whether it’s refining a customer service script, analyzing financial reports, developing a new product feature, or even listening in a difficult conversation – with clear purpose and mindfulness, something powerful happens:
• Sharpened Focus: Intention cuts through the noise. We concentrate more fully, minimizing distractions and becoming significantly more effective.
• Fueled Motivation: Knowing why we’re doing something connects the task to our larger purpose, providing resilience when things get tough.
• Accelerated Learning: A deliberate approach forces us to pay attention, analyze results, learn from missteps, and make necessary adjustments far more quickly.
• Meaningful Growth: Each focused repetition builds skill, deepens knowledge, and boosts confidence, equipping us to handle bigger challenges aligned with our vision.
• Enhanced Adaptability: Approaching situations with intention makes us more observant and open to evaluating different methods, fostering crucial adaptability.
Of course, external factors we can’t control will always play a role. Market shifts happen, unexpected hurdles appear. But by cultivating intentionality in how we approach our work, our learning, our interactions – everything – we dramatically increase our odds of achieving the goals aligned with our passion and purpose. We ensure our energy is invested wisely, building the right ‘muscle memory’ not just for specific tasks, but for sustained, purposeful success across all areas of life.
• Try This Now: Identify one core skill or process in your business OR an area in your personal life (e.g., listening skills, fitness routine, learning a hobby) that could benefit from more intentional practice this week. What single, focused action can you take to practice it deliberately?
It’s about choosing to be deliberate, focused, and fully present, ensuring that every effort, no matter how small, moves you purposefully towards the impact you aim to make.
Where could applying more intentionality – more mindfulness in action – make the biggest difference in your business or personal growth right now? What does ‘deliberate practice’ look like for you?
Share your thoughts and commitments in the comments below – let’s inspire each other!
