Perfecting a skill may not require conscious thought, as habits and abilities differ. When learning a new skill, conscious decision-making and willpower are necessary. However, with thousands of repetitions, the skill becomes automated and habituated over time. Mastery and habit formation requires practice and innate abilities, certain types of training, opportunities, and the people we work with. While preparation is essential, it takes more than practice to reach a high elite status level in any domain. Our habits develop due to the opportunities and choices we have in our lives, and while we can get better at skills through practice, reaching an elite status depends on various factors beyond our control.

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