---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In other words, deliberate practice is…"
description: "\"“In other words, deliberate practice is for preparation, and flow is for performance.”\" — Angela Duckworth"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c03/angela-duckworth-2560_deliberate-practice_in-other-words-deliberate-practice-is-fo_1829178.jpg"
---

#  In other words, deliberate practice is for preparation…

![“In other words, deliberate practice is for preparation, and flow is for performance.” quote by Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c03/angela-duckworth-2560_deliberate-practice_in-other-words-deliberate-practice-is-fo_1829178.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c03/angela-duckworth-2560_deliberate-practice_in-other-words-deliberate-practice-is-fo_1829178.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c03/angela-duckworth-2560_deliberate-practice_in-other-words-deliberate-practice-is-fo_1829178.jpg)

> ““In other words, deliberate practice is for preparation, and flow is for performance.””

[Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Deliberate practice builds skill; flow is the optimal state when that skill is applied.

**In simple terms:** Practice prepares; flow delivers.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate practice, then seek flow.

Themes

performance skill development mindset

Mood

motivational inspirational

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

- sports
- music
- public speaking
- coding
- teaching

Key Concepts

psychology expertise

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you know when you’re in flow?
- What practice routines boost your performance?

A Different Perspective

Flow may be elusive without deep practice.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Deliberate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deliberate/) [Deliberate practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deliberate-practice/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Practice Preparation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice-preparation-1532994/) [Preparation Flow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preparation-flow-2259491/) [Words Deliberate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words-deliberate-449580/)

## Related quotes

> [“Each of the basic requirements of deliberate practice is unremarkable: • A clearly defined stretch goal • Full concentration and effort • Immediate and informative feedback • Repetition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/each-of-the-basic-requirements-of-deliberate-practice-is-unremarkable/)

[Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/)

> [The Role of Deliberate Practice in the Acquisition of Expert Performance”: “The differences between expert performers and normal adults are not immutable, that is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-anders-ericsson/the-role-of-deliberate-practice-in-the-acquisition-of-expert/)

[K. Anders Ericsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-anders-ericsson/)

> [“deliberate practice requires that one identify certain sharply defined elements of performance that need to be improved, and then work intently on them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-colvin/deliberate-practice-requires-that-one-identify-certain-sharply/)

[Geoff Colvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-colvin/)

> [“if it’s rare and valuable, it’s not easy to get. This insight brought me into the world of performance science, where I encountered the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/if-it-s-rare-and-valuable-it-s-not-easy-to-get-this-insight-brought/)

[Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/)

> [I think my style as far as vocal delivery and even down to the pronunciation of certain words is so deliberate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel/i-think-my-style-as-far-as-vocal-delivery-and-even-down-to-the/)

[Miguel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel/)

> [“ 'Hubba-Hubba' never slips out," Zeke said. "You selected those words with deliberate intent, and I question your commitment to the respectable use of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-beth-durst/hubba-hubba-never-slips-out-zeke-said-you-selected-those-words-with/)

[Sarah Beth Durst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-beth-durst/)

> [To me, the most enjoyable part is the practice and preparation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-knight/to-me-the-most-enjoyable-part-is-the-practice-and-preparation/)

[Bobby Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-knight/)

> [“deliberate practice” to describe this style of serious study, defining it formally as an “activity designed, typically by a teacher, for the sole purpose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/deliberate-practice-to-describe-this-style-of-serious-study-defining/)

[Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/)

> [“Doing things we know how to do well is enjoyable, and that’s exactly the opposite of what deliberate practice demands…. Deliberate practice is above…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/doing-things-we-know-how-to-do-well-is-enjoyable-and-that-s-exactly/)

[Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/)

> [Some people seem to have extreme natural wiring - a talent that seems to come out of nowhere. Like a music savant or prodigy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-maney/some-people-seem-to-have-extreme-natural-wiring-a-talent-that-seems/)

[Kevin Maney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-maney/)

> [Keep the remembrance of your real nature alive, even while working, and avoid haste which causes you to forget. Be deliberate. Practice meditation to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramana-maharshi/keep-the-remembrance-of-your-real-nature-alive-even-while-working-and/)

[Ramana Maharshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramana-maharshi/)

> [“when a branch of psychology, sometimes called performance psychology, began to systematically explore what separates experts (in many different fields) from everyone else. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/when-a-branch-of-psychology-sometimes-called-performance-psychology/)

[Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/)

> [“Deliberate Practice, which he has identified as the key to exceptional achievement. When you practice deliberately, you identify the tasks or knowledge that are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/deliberate-practice-which-he-has-identified-as-the-key-to-exceptional/)

[Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/)

> [What determines how much time and deliberate practice a child is willing to devote to achievement? Nothing less than her character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-seligman/what-determines-how-much-time-and-deliberate-practice-a-child-is/)

[Martin Seligman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-seligman/)

> [“craft-centric.” Getting better and better at what I did became what mattered most, and getting better required the strain of deliberate practice. This is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/craft-centric-getting-better-and-better-at-what-i-did-became-what/)

[Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/)

## More by Angela Duckworth

> [Grit and self-control are related, but they're not the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/grit-and-self-control-are-related-but-they-re-not-the-same-thing/)

[Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/)

> [“you can, in fact, modify your self-talk, and you can learn to not let it interfere with you moving toward your goals. With practice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/you-can-in-fact-modify-your-self-talk-and-you-can-learn-to-not-let-it/)

[Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/)

> [One thing that's true of gritty people is they love what they do, and they keep loving what they do. So they're not just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/one-thing-that-s-true-of-gritty-people-is-they-love-what-they-do-and/)

[Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/)

> [The focus on just thinking about standardized test scores as being synonymous with achievement for teenagers is ridiculous, right? There are so many things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/the-focus-on-just-thinking-about-standardized-test-scores-as-being/)

[Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/)

> [“Nobody wants to show you the hours and hours of becoming. They’d rather show the highlight of what they’ve become.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/nobody-wants-to-show-you-the-hours-and-hours-of-becoming-they-d/)

[Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/)

> [I don't spend a lot of time thinking about my genes because I can't do anything about them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/i-don-t-spend-a-lot-of-time-thinking-about-my-genes-because-i-can-t/)

[Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/)

> [“My longitudinal studies show these three virtue clusters predict different outcomes. For academic achievement, including stellar report card grades, the cluster containing grit is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/my-longitudinal-studies-show-these-three-virtue-clusters-predict/)

[Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/)

> [“For many of us, the companies we work for are an important cultural force in our lives. For instance, growing up, my dad liked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/for-many-of-us-the-companies-we-work-for-are-an-important-cultural/)

[Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/)

> [“trying to do things they can't yet do, failing, and learning what they need to do differently is exactly the way that experts practice.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/trying-to-do-things-they-can-t-yet-do-failing-and-learning-what-they/)

[Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/)

> [Negative feelings are typical of learning, and you shouldn't feel like you're stupid when you're frustrated doing something. You might say to yourself, 'I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/negative-feelings-are-typical-of-learning-and-you-shouldn-t-feel-like/)

[Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/)

> [I was a good novice teacher, but I did the things that were obvious. I stayed for lunch for extra tutoring, gave kids my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/i-was-a-good-novice-teacher-but-i-did-the-things-that-were-obvious-i/)

[Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/)

> [“The separation of talent and skill,” Will Smith points out, “is one of the greatest misunderstood concepts for people who are trying to excel,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/the-separation-of-talent-and-skill-will-smith-points-out-is-one-of/)

[Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/)

> [What we reliably find is that people's perseverance scores are actually higher than their passion scores, and I think it really does get to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/what-we-reliably-find-is-that-people-s-perseverance-scores-are/)

[Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/)

> [Many things matter other than our measured intelligence, so let's get to work on them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/many-things-matter-other-than-our-measured-intelligence-so-let-s-get/)

[Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/)

> [“With everything perfect,” Nietzsche wrote, “we do not ask how it came to be.” Instead, “we rejoice in the present fact as though it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/with-everything-perfect-nietzsche-wrote-we-do-not-ask-how-it-came-to/)

[Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/)

[Explore all 161 Angela Duckworth quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/)

## More Deliberate quotes

> [The Role of Deliberate Practice in the Acquisition of Expert Performance”: “The differences between expert performers and normal adults are not immutable, that is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-anders-ericsson/the-role-of-deliberate-practice-in-the-acquisition-of-expert/)

[K. Anders Ericsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-anders-ericsson/)

> [One of the noblest words in our language is "grace," defined as "unearned blessing." We live by grace far more than by anything else.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-elton-trueblood/one-of-the-noblest-words-in-our-language-is-grace-defined-as-unearned/)

[D. Elton Trueblood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-elton-trueblood/)

> [There should be a period of time during each practice session when you perform. Invite some friends in to your practice room and play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-jacobs/there-should-be-a-period-of-time-during-each-practice-session-when/)

[Arnold Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-jacobs/)

> [“Be deliberate in your choices. We are created to do what we are called to do and what we are born to experience, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-connor/be-deliberate-in-your-choices-we-are-created-to-do-what-we-are-called/)

[Julie Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-connor/)

> [Deliberate long before thou consecrate a friend, and when thy impartial justice concludes him worthy of thy bosom, receive him joyfully, and entertain him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/deliberate-long-before-thou-consecrate-a-friend-and-when-thy/)

[Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/)

> [We study health, and we deliberate upon our meats and drink and air and exercises, and we hew and we polish every stone that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-donne/we-study-health-and-we-deliberate-upon-our-meats-and-drink-and-air/)

[John Donne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-donne/)

> [Deflation means a slowdown of income growth. Markets shrink, new capital investment and employment also taper off, so wages decline. That is what's happening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-hudson/deflation-means-a-slowdown-of-income-growth-markets-shrink-new/)

[Michael Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-hudson/)

> [I say that human nature is the original beginning and the raw material, and deliberate effort is what makes it patterned, ordered, and exalted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xun-kuang/i-say-that-human-nature-is-the-original-beginning-and-the-raw/)

[Xun Kuang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xun-kuang/)

> [Even today to be civilised is held to be synonymous with being westernised. Advanced countries devote large resources to formulating and spreading ideas and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/indira-gandhi/even-today-to-be-civilised-is-held-to-be-synonymous-with-being/)

[Indira Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/indira-gandhi/)

> [Holidays are in no sense an alternative to the congestion and bustle of the cities and work. Quite the contrary. People look to escape…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-baudrillard/holidays-are-in-no-sense-an-alternative-to-the-congestion-and-bustle/)

[Jean Baudrillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-baudrillard/)

> [I often think about how my sons will come to know about September 11th. Something overheard? A newspaper image? In school? I would prefer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/i-often-think-about-how-my-sons-will-come-to-know-about-september/)

[Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/)

> [In our lives and in our careers, whether we are aware of it or not, we are constantly navigating a path by deciding between…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clayton-christensen/in-our-lives-and-in-our-careers-whether-we-are-aware-of-it-or-not-we/)

[Clayton Christensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clayton-christensen/)

> [“a creature cloistered now by deliberate choice and still in the throes of enforced apprenticeship to, rather than voluntary or even acquiescent participation in,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-faulkner/a-creature-cloistered-now-by-deliberate-choice-and-still-in-the/)

[William Faulkner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-faulkner/)

> [“Success is a choice; you choose it and work it out! Excellence is deliberate and so it is intentionally pursued. No successful person ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/success-is-a-choice-you-choose-it-and-work-it-out-excellence-is/)

[Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/)

> [Theory may be deliberate, as in a chapter on chemistry, or it may be second nature, as in the immemorial doctrine of ordinary enduring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willard-van-orman-quine/theory-may-be-deliberate-as-in-a-chapter-on-chemistry-or-it-may-be/)

[Willard Van Orman Quine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willard-van-orman-quine/)

[Browse all 503 Deliberate quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deliberate/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“In other words, deliberate practice is for preparation, and flow is for performance.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Angela Duckworth"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/in-other-words-deliberate-practice-is-for-preparation-and-flow-is-for/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Deliberate"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/in-other-words-deliberate-practice-is-for-preparation-and-flow-is-for/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c03/angela-duckworth-2560_deliberate-practice_in-other-words-deliberate-practice-is-fo_1829178.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c03/angela-duckworth-2560_deliberate-practice_in-other-words-deliberate-practice-is-fo_1829178.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c03/angela-duckworth-2560_deliberate-practice_in-other-words-deliberate-practice-is-fo_1829178.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“In other words, deliberate practice is for preparation, and flow is for performance.” — Angela Duckworth",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Angela Duckworth",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“In other words, deliberate practice is...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/in-other-words-deliberate-practice-is-for-preparation-and-flow-is-for/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/in-other-words-deliberate-practice-is-for-preparation-and-flow-is-for/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
