Perfect practice makes perfection N

ow that Easter has come and gone, along with both March Madness tournaments and The Masters, it’s baseball season. That means a 162-game schedule till the playoffs and World Series. As we reflect on all things sports, it is time to thank yourself and your teammates.

One thing that is consistent with all sports is that practice creates perfection. You play as you practice, as the old saying goes. It doesn’t matter if you are hitting a golf ball, shooting free throws or steadying on a balance beam; you must practice to master your talent.

Sure, some of us are born with natural talent, while others have to work to achieve talent. Still, nothing can overcome practicing, making mistakes and learning from them. Greatness is not achieved without practice.

For example, to become a world-class golfer, you need to hit thousands of balls a day. To be a champion basketball player, you need to take unlimited shots a day. Top-notch baseball and lacrosse players need to be able to catch and throw, while hockey players must learn to skate and shoot—and occasionally drop the gloves when necessary.

And don’t forget about all the “to-do” list items these athletes do that we don’t see. Off-season workouts like cardio, eating well and getting ample sleep. And, when the time comes, they have to learn to play through injuries.

Coaches always tell parents that their child needs to practice. We can teach them the plays, but if they can master the basics, everything falls into place. Practice is 95% of the game—something that must be done on their time. The ones who want it the most are the ones who will be the best.

The same holds true in business, which is very similar to sports. It is why I enjoy conversations with athletes who have made the transition from sports to business. They know what it takes to win, how it feels to lose and what is needed to get up the next day, regardless of how beaten or bruised they are just to do it all over again.

To be the best at your trade, you have to play the best and learn to win close games. It takes time, patience and calmness. But it should also be fun.

Your wins don’t all have to be huge. Every small one adds up. It is about building your confidence in your learning experience—confidence that can lead to big wins down the road.

Right now, I am taking another 10-week AI/technology online class, where I am learning more about technology. It is mind-blowing to grasp how much I am learning, and that most of what I do will be outdated tomorrow, as technology moves at the speed of light. It is amazing that there is so much to learn about life, business and sports.

Remember, there are only so many hours in a day, so planning and time management are crucial to get things done. There is something called the 20-80 rule—where you spend 20% of your time selling, getting things done and the other 80% practicing what you learn, just like sports. Practice, practice, practice and you will become the expert or the champion of your expertise.

As an old dog who is going to turn 60 in a few months will tell you, we can learn new tricks if we put our minds into it. Keep positive strong and negativity out.

As we go through Q2 and get ready for the second of half of what already has been a wild and exhilarating 2023, have fun, smile and enjoy the ride.

We look forward to seeing many of you at our CCRP events, which start in NYC on May 10. Our cross-country city road trip is on again.

To all, here is too much success, good health and prosperity and, as always, “Keep the Faith” for the next championship you win.

Stop Smash and Grab

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