Principlev1
Build cognitive skills through graduated practice starting
Build cognitive skills through graduated practice starting at low emotional stakes before applying them in high-stakes contexts.
Why This Is a Principle
Derives from Expert performance in complex domains requires deliberate (expert performance requires deliberate practice at edge of ability), Directed Attention as Depletable Resource (cognitive resources deplete under load), and Expertise Through Deliberate Practice (expertise develops through practice building mental representations). The principle prescribes a difficulty gradient for skill development that follows from these axioms about learning and resource limitations. Highly general and actionable.