Practice makes perfect! No, really!

When talking about sports or performing arts, the need for constant practice and rehearsal is unquestionable. Some examples come to mind... Jascha Heifezt (1901-1987), one of the best violin players of the 20th Century once said about practicing: ¨If I don´t practice one day, I know it; two days, the critics know it; three days, the public knows it¨.

Walter Payton (1954 - 1999), Chicago Bears hall-of-famer who broke several rushing records, is well remembered by many players due to his off season training (amongst many other things. Near his Mississippi home, Walter ran on a sandbank during hot hours to maintain his shape ready for the season. “You get to a point where you have to keep pushing yourself. You stop, throw up and push yourself again. There’s no one else around to feel sorry for you”. You can watch a video here.

Many examples like these exist in soccer and other sports. Cristiano Ronaldo, considered as a top world player with Spain´s Real Madrid, practices his fantasy game after every official training session. Hugo Sánchez, Mexican player did the same with his famous ¨Chilenas¨.

Picture from: http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/es/1193040472616/1202817491117/jugador/JugadorLegendario/Hugo_Sanchez.htm

Beyond sports and performing arts, Navy Seals have a creed: ¨We demand discipline. We expect innovation. The lives of my teammates and the success of our mission depend on me. My training is never complete¨.

Now, back to my organization. Do I really need to practice? Isn´t that what I do day after day? I suggest that may be true, may be not. Let´s consider the following questions:

• What was the last formal training you had? Do you remember it well and practice important points?
• Do I frequently review corporate procedures? What about those emergency ones that I may have not used in years?
• Do I practice the behaviors pointed out to me as improvement opportunities?
• Do I read books and articles related to my field?
• Do I benchmark others?
• Do I ask for feedback?

One last concept that comes to mind from Mr. Stephen Covey: Sharpen the saw. One of the 7 habits, preserving and enhancing the most important asset we have:  ourselves. Having a balanced program for self renewal in the four areas of like: physical, social/emotional, spiritual and mental. The latter involving continuous learning, reading, teaching...

While all examples provided here refer to individuals, teams need training as well. Navy Seals have a creed: ¨We demand discipline. We expect innovation. The lives of my teammates and the success of our mission depend on me. My training is never complete¨.

Practice makes perfect, but practice is something conscious, and sometimes painful!