Sometimes we just need time in the cockpit, kicking the ball, putting pen to paper, in the woodshed, and actually on the stage.
In the past, every craft understood this. The time in apprenticeship was meant to provide many miles for the apprentice before they found themselves on their journey alone. Professional mentorship programs have attempted to provide similar guidance once students transfer out of focused educational phases and into the professional realm.
Whether we have guidance or not, we can be sure that if the miles haven’t been covered, it shows. We can see the inexperience in naïveté, nervousness, or a general lack of bearings. None of that breads confidence in those we as craftspeople interact with.
So, whatever practice we’re engaged in, let’s search for where we can put in the miles. Whenever we have the chance, let’s get them in. It will show up in the end.