Practice when you don't need it...

Published: Thu, 05/02/13

So that you can do it perfectly when you do.

Darts and snooker are two sports that have eluded me. I'm not one of those people who argue that it's not a 'real sport' unless you break a sweat. If you applied that argument, the vast majority of darts players could sweat themselves to the very top.

It's the idea that to be really good you must lock yourself away in solitary confinement and just practice shot after shot, throw after throw for thousands of hours, for every tournament. That's on my 'Too Hard List' (or should I say 'Could Be Easier List'.)

But I do admire them. The same as I admire anyone who has put in the hours behind the scenes to make sure that when it really counts, they deliver.

I teach a presentation skills seminar called 'How to be a Super Speaker'. It's interesting to see the difference between those who know what to do when speaking and those who have put in the hours and practiced.

I think to be good at presenting you need to have performed it out loud, in front of people at least twenty times. Most people have mumbled it in their minds for half an hour and then rely on 'over wordy' slides.

I coach people on how to better themselves at anything they feel the need to improve on. I ask coaching clients how prepared they are to put in the time and effort to get the results; reminding them that there are no quick fixes. They ALL say they will do whatever it takes. But in my experience, about 10% will do whatever it takes and about 30% will do whatever it takes because I've coached them.

I don't think of the other 60% as a failure, I offer a total satisfaction guarantee because I know that after coaching they are better than when we started. The big but is how much more they could do if they really committed to the behind the scenes work. But that's graft, it's a slog and the results aren't instant.

So if it's important to you and you want to get the results you deserve, it's worth practising now - when you don't need it - so you'll be brilliant when you do.

Be Brilliant!

Michael

Title: Flip It

Subtitle: How to Get the Best Out of Everything

Pages: 161

First published: 2009

Number of editions: 2

Who's it for: Anyone who wants to reframe any situation to get the very best out of it.

5 things you will learn:
1) The real power of positive language
2) How to eliminate excuses
3) Methods to feel brilliant about yourself - instantly
4) How to use Flip It Thinking to shape a perfect future
5) Why you should completely turn your thinking on its head

What others have said:
'I've read loads of self books. This is the simplest. This is the best'. Chris Evans, Radio DJ

What Michael says:
Flip It has a very simple premise - it's all about changing your thinking to get better results. Your brain is wired to work in a formulaic and often predictable way. This means, you act and react in certain ways, and get certain results. But what if you could change this? What if you could meet the challenges in your life with fascination instead of frustration? Enthusiasm instead of boredom? Energy instead of lethargy? Imagine what you could achieve? That's Flip It thinking.

Did you know?
In January 2010 Flip It topped the book charts and became a Sunday Times No.1 Best Seller.

Where can I get my copy?
Signed paperback here - SAVE £3
Paperback on Amazon.co.uk here
Audiobook here
Kindle here

Listen to Michael talking about Flip It on the Chris Evans Show here.

Next time: How to Save an Hour Every Day

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