10/28/2024-The art of ‘perfect practice’

The old way of practicing skills was based on caveman thinking that you’d get better if you sat in a chair on a stage role playing in front of your peers. Good news for you: there’s a better way.

You could stand in front of a mirror and practice delivering your pitch, but it would not be the same as having a few work friends sit in the conference room while you role-play with them.

Call it practice or role-playing – or whatever makes you feel at ease – but either way, you won’t learn faster or better unless you emulate real-life scenarios and make mistakes in front of another live human being.

Practicing elements of your customer interactions will build your confidence fast; getting helpful feedback from your peers ain’t a bad thing either!

Today, pick an upcoming client meeting that is kinda-super-important and practice with a work peer.

Here are a few ideas of things to practice:
1. How’s your game articulating your company’s value proposition to this customer?

2. What are the objections that require live prep and rehearsing?

3. Haven’t asked for enough referrals lately ‘cuz you don’t know the exact words to use? Practice it.

"Practice does not make perfect…perfect practice makes perfect."

That was from Vince Lombardi, and man… did he create a great catchphrase!

Whether you have read the book Peak (recommended by MSD on 10/23) or been coached in sports or music by someone maniacal about the details, you’re familiar with perfect practice.

This TED Talk from the charming and authentic Claire Tueller will inspire you to think critically about how you practice. While nervous, Claire talks about her practice as a classical piano player and absolutely nails the practice thing.