Science discovers that mastery comes from practice

[Ward Cunningham]

Science Magazine reports that a study of young chess players found that although the best did score well on IQ tests, there ability correlated most significantly with the amount they practiced.

Need I remind you that pair-programming is a great way to practice programming. If you want to be great, give it a try. -- Ward

Science 21 September 2007 317: 1657 [DOI: 10.1126/science.317.5845.1657d] (in Random Samples)

[Bernard D. Tremblay (ben)]

I think I heard this from Yehudi Menuhin ... about how the freedom comes /after/ the discipline, that having trained diligently gives a person the space for creativity.
Interestingly, the same thinking underlies monastic discipline. Having been through the military (without too much chaffing) I can say my monastic experience was grand. Ah! To sit back for 5 minutes /knowing/ that taking fully 5 minutes to watch the clouds isn't going to cause some mission-critical item to crap out!