How To Make Better Use Of Feedback To Improve A Skill Faster

1. Learn to listen

1.1. 'My greatest skill was being teachable. I was like a sponge. Even if I thought my coaches were wrong, I tried to listen and learn something.' -Michael Jordan

1.2. When someone gives you feedback, they are trying to help you improve

1.3. Do not take feedback personally

1.4. Ask for specific advice on how and what to do differently and ask questions to clarify what they mean

1.5. By becoming a better listener, you can concentrate on how the feedback will enable you to perform better

1.6. We can only learn when we realise why and what we are doing wrong

2. Believe that change is possible

2.1. Set specific goals of what you want to improve and think of ways to achieve them

2.2. By changing your actions, you find a way that works better

2.3. Don't enter a situation with no clear idea of how your actions contribute to reaching your goal

2.4. When you have a growth mindset, you see feedback as useful to help you perform better

3. Actively seek and embrace honest feedback

3.1. Embrace honest feedback, even if it may shatter the illusion you have of being quite good at something

3.2. The feedback can come from:

3.2.1. The task itself

3.2.1.1. For example: when throwing a ball, you can observe the results of your actions

3.2.2. a coach who is watching you from the outside

3.2.2.1. An experienced coach can help you realise mistakes that you perhaps didn't even know you were doing

4. Know what you are trying to improve

4.1. If you aim to improve everything at once, it is difficult to improve anything at all

4.2. By focusing on something specific, it's easier to evaluate and get feedback on how you are doing

4.3. Prioritise the errors you make

4.4. An excellent teacher helps you direct your attention to improving one or two things at a time

5. Use the feedback

5.1. Receiving feedback is only useful if you reflect on it and plan an improved action

5.2. It is often beneficial to receive the same feedback several times

5.3. Over time, following the advice becomes automatic, and you no longer need to think actively about it

6. What stops us from taking action on feedback

6.1. Don't do feedback personally

6.2. Don't attribute problems to factors out of your control

6.3. Don't dispute the validity of the feedback and disagree that a problem exists or with the proposed solutions

6.4. Don't lack urgency around finding a solution and dismiss the complexity of the problem and potential solutions