We've all been there. The new hafiz who is fluctuating his voice way too much. The high school basketball player that keeps trying to do the same ridiculous circus shot to no avail. The wannabe actor who is crying way too much for the amount of sadness in the scene.
Why is it that when the pros do it, it looks like they're not even trying? Mishary's beautiful voice, Dwyane Wade's circus shots, and Shahrukh Khan's tears. When they do it, it looks so natural. Like they are making no effort to do it, and its just happening. How can we get to that point? What's the secret?
I asked my friend and Qari (master reciter of the holy Quran) just this. He said there's no secret, it takes consistent effort. He told me that when he gets sick for a day or two and can't recite the way he usually recites, that his recitation after that suffers. He can't pronounce his letters as properly as when he was in routine. A single day off can have a negative effect on the performance.
I think the important thing to notice here is that mastery is not just putting in a lot of work and then relaxing. Mastery is a lifestyle. You have to dedicate your life to your craft, not let a single day go by without working on your craft.