There's an old maxim which states 'practice makes perfect.'

That may be true, but I'd like to suggest it goes further than making you perfect, practice also keeps you perfect.

Regulars to the blog may have noticed I don't do a lot around here anymore, especially since Mike took over as Editor, and I took a step back so I'm not really that involved on a day to day basis. This means I'm not blogging on a regularly any more, although Mike still lets me share some of my personal musings, studio builds and occasional rants when I have something to get off my chest.

In the early days of the blog I was churning out almost a video a day.  What I didn't know about making them could have been written on the back of a postage stamp, because I'd done so many and knew the software we used like the back of my hand.

So when I was asked to make a video I thought of course I can help, I should have that done in a few minutes... like f**k did I!

In a matter of months I'd forgotten so much, that those minutes became hours. I had forgotten shortcuts and even some of the basics that I used to be able to do with my eyes closed and my hands tied behind my back.

It's easy to become complacent as creatives, be that with the instruments we play, the voice we sing with, or the gear we use. I have to hold my hands up and say that I've learnt a valuable lesson today - like any sporting professional, as creatives we also need to stay on our game to stay in shape and not to think we'll always have what we once had. 

When did you last sit down with your instrument and simply practise? Open up a piece of vital software and take it for a spin just to stay on point? You may have once been a Pro Tools Ninja, but without using it regularly, you may become a Pro Tools nincompoop instead. 

Practice not only makes perfect, it keeps you perfect too!