when I first bought my rig. I practiced every day I wasn't working, as a gaffer or Op. That's right, I didn't take a steadicam day until I knew I could operate with it well enough to earn the money. I was already in local 600 as an operator. Then, I did freebies, basically freebies, and student films. But now that I work on a regular basis, I don't practice. I should though, there is always something new coming your way. I tend to work out on my off days. As far as sucking, we all have our off days. I feel steadi oping is like sports, mostly mental. Of course, we all have to put in the work and effort, but once our bodies are trained and we understand framing, only our mind a can beet us. If you believe you can do it and can visualize the shot, you will succeed. if you think you suck and can't do it. you will fail. Anyway, that line of thinking works for me.
Aaron