Do Not Wait for Perfect Conditions

A ceramics teacher conducted an unusual experiment with their class. Dividing students into two groups, they announced an unexpected grading system. The first group would be evaluated solely on quantity. Their grade would be determined by the weight of pots produced. Fifty pounds would earn an A, forty pounds a B, and so on. The second group would be graded only on quality. They needed to create just one perfect pot for an A.

When the semester ended, the teacher made a surprising discovery. The highest quality pots—those with the best craftsmanship, most beautiful designs, and finest function—all came from the quantity group, not the quality group.

This "Pottery Class Paradox" reveals a counterintuitive truth. Mastery emerges from repetition rather than contemplation. The quality-focused students theorized about perfection, leaving their hands inexperienced. The quantity group, however, gained valuable practice with each pot, learning from mistakes and refining their technique through iterative improvement.