To improve in a craft, extensive practise over an extended duration is typically imperative. Malcolm Gladwell claims that we need at least 10,000 hours of practise to become masters of our work. Although there are objections on the relationship between practise hours and the degree of excellence, it is undeniable that repeated practises allow us to trust our body and appreciate our unbelievable ability to adapt and learn unconsciously. With the investment in time and persistence, we can correct ourselves bit by bit. It's a mini marvel of evolution at work, when we engage in trial and error, practising continuously and embracing mistakes that will bring improvements that sprung from time to time.
To be more specific, I think we can discern three categories of trial and error process, or different ways to improve, apart from the hard work just mentioned.
The first category includes activities such as writing and drawing. In these creative pursuits, errors in trials and practises bear minimal adverse consequences, save for the comments by some sarcastic critics. These endeavors tend to be a practice on the mind and take a mental toll, but seldom harm those aspiring for mastery.
The second type of trial and error manifests in activities that impacts the body and can be potentially disastrous - think skateboarding, surfing, and snowboard - which bring constant pain from bruises, knocks and strains. However, rather than perceiving this discomfort as suffering, it is an integral part of the trial and error process. Falling or taking a hit at the ankle teaches our bodies to control movements and maintain balance. It forms our muscle memory. It penalizes wrong gestures and rewards good control. Clumsiness will be eliminated, and elegance will survive. Therefore, we want these trial and error processes to be repeated as fiercely and as fast as possible (as long as we remain alive and avoid getting killed by some silly moves). We deliberately fall down to get up.
The third and most perilous variant of trial and error involves situations of life and death. In scuba diving, for example, mistakes can be fatal. The margin for error during actual performance is usually minimal. In all circumstances, mistakes must be avoided at all costs. Safety margins and measures, such as a diving partner, an additional regulator and constant monitoring of oxygen level, are indispensable in mitigating inherent risks. We actively minimize the trial and error process, and learn predominantly by following the correct procedures slowly and repeatedly. Often, the only instance that an error proves useful is in the aftermath of an accident, when we have no means but to learn painstakingly with irrecovable cost. It is for this reason that pilots and engineers are extremely risk-averse, as they operate in an unforgiving environment.
In conclusion, a smart person should grasp the essence of their craft and choose the appropriate way to improve. Reed Hastings echoes a similar sentiment in his book No Rules Rule. He reckons that we should apply specific strategies for different industries. For industries aiming at the prevention of error, stringent rules and processes are required to eliminate mistakes. Conversely, for the innovation industry, mistakes are imperative as they invite rapid improvements and new ideas.
From now on, start to think and choose wisely, between stumbling and staying untouched. Choose the correct way to improve.