Probably not unlike you, my mind works in funny ways. This morning, I was having a cup of coffee on my back porch allowing my mind to wander. I soon began thinking about the difference between an amateur and a professional. I am sure you share my appreciation for watching a true professional ply their craft. It was approaching 6:30 am when I pictured a professional golfer starting his daily routine of hitting about 500 balls. On the other hand, the amateur was probably exerting the same energy hitting his snooze alarm in rapid succession.
A quote came to mind which I have been sharing in my seminars and workshops for over ten years. A former National Football Hall of Famer by the name of Merlin Olsen once went on record to say, “If I am not practicing and my competitor is, when we meet, they will beat me.”
To rephrase just a tad, “Practice is what will propel you closer to the winner’s circle.”
Regardless of the subject matter, be it football, playing the piano, baking, academic studies, or any one of a thousand other topics, for the cream to rise to the top it takes many hundreds of hours of focused attention to become proficient.
My mind continued to ponder the next point. If this is true, (and it is true) then why do so many business practitioners (who consider themselves professionals) fail to see the value in “practicing their craft?”
If you stop to think about it, people start businesses and just start playing “hit or miss.” They continue to “win or lose” day after day without giving much thought to why their current activities either succeed or not. The word “practice” is seldom included in their daily vocabulary.
This brought me to the next question. How exactly do the winners practice when it comes to growing a successful business? Here are three areas that immediately come to mind:
- Communications. Are you choosing the proper wording and delivering your message clearly? Is what you are trying to say being interpreted accordingly?
- Listening. Are you focusing on how much time you are hearing the sound of your own voice? Have you rehearsed your content so you can direct your attention toward your prospect or client?
- Following Up. Are you making it your business to do what you say you will do in the time you said you would do it? Have you plugged The Rule of 7 into your business-building skill set?
Before I lose you, I would like to underscore one more important reminder. Practice alone won’t guarantee your being perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect. And that means practicing the right things at the right time to the right people.
Mike Marchev is always looking for a few more proactive travel professionals to join his Sales and Marketing Club, mike@mikemarchev.com.
*** You want more to think about? Check out my weekly podcast (Miked Up Marchev). Also listed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google, and iHeartRadio.
