Practice

I used to think of myself as a musician of sorts.  I played a lot of instruments, studied a few of them privately, and actually earned a fair bit of money both performing and teaching.   I guess I have (more like had!) a natural ability with them.  Because of that, I never felt as if practice was a top priority. I could play, it sounded pretty good, what more needs to be done?   Sure, the band rehearsed a few hours a week and yes, I used to play a guitar several more hours a day.  But that wasn’t practice – that was an extension of my arm. Now, playing the sax – that would have required practice!Fast forward 35 or 40 years. I spent several hours a weekend on the golf course.   I love the game.  I also spend almost an equal amount of time on the range working on “grooving” a swing or learning to fade or draw the ball on purpose (as opposed to via the usual accidental means) and more hours putting and chipping.  Over time, I’ve become better (not good, but better) and I ascribe it to the practice.  My buddies think my luck is improving but, as either Palmer or Player said, “the more I practice the luckier I get.”

It’s the same in business. Do you and your team talk about the “what if’s”? That’s practice so you’re prepared when those things aren’t hypothetical any more.  Do you assign junior people projects that are more fiction than fact so they’ll be ready when the real logjam hits? Practice makes perfect.  Is it “busywork” about which they’ll complain?  Maybe.  But they’ll be better and so will you.

Having to train your staff or plan on the fly is irresponsible.  Unless everyone on your team has a natural ability to work individually and collectively without error, you need to hit the range together.  Listening to the tapes of our old band, I should have practiced more.  In business, if you find that out it’s usually at a crisis meeting to figure out why business is so bad.