Let’s talk about “practice”.
What are the things in your life that you practice consistently?
I have to admit that for many years I associated “practice” with childhood, as in “practice the piano” (something I rarely did and, as a result, have an astonishing lack of ability) or “basketball practice” (which I did attend faithfully – but never graduated to athlete).
About 14 years ago I attended my first yoga class and the word “practice” once again entered my life. I learned that when I consistently incorporate yoga into my day, everything works better – my body, my mind, sleep, appetite, everything! When I let my practice slide (which I have done for months now) it eventually catches up with me as a stiff neck, or a sore hip, or a very noisy mind. I am somehow less than my best.
And, while I have tried many times to develop a solo yoga practice, I have yet to be successful. For me, the discipline, fellowship and accountability of a yoga class is a necessity.
Practice also applies to my writing life. For over 5 years I was part of a dedicated writing group that came together every two weeks to write and listen to each other’s work. Did our writing improve? Absolutely! Did we get more writing done? Yup. Almost all of us not only completed writing projects in those years, but also celebrated the publishing of our work. Today this almost-weekly blog is part of my writing practice, as well as meeting regularly with a writing partner who challenges and supports me, keeps me accountable.
There are things I do practice on my own (baking for example) but they tend to be things I already know I’m good at. (Not that I don’t experience the occasional failure, like a butterscotch pie I made last weekend that met its demise in the green bin pretty quickly).
But “practice” actually means “to perform repeatedly to acquire skill” – and this discipline usually requires the support and accountability offered by others.
So, in partnership with The Hub http://thehubhalifax.ca/, The Phone Lady is starting a prospecting practice called Grow Your Business. We invite entrepreneurs and salespeople who know they should be doing more prospecting but – much like my dormant yoga practice – aren’t getting it done on their own. We’ll meet monthly to strengthen skills, learn from case studies, review prospecting goals. We’ll support each other in our practice of picking up the phone and talking to potential clients, booking meetings.
And in between monthly meetings, to continually support you in your practice, I’ll be available as coach.
You can attend one meeting, three meetings, a year of meetings – whatever will work for you to strengthen and perfect your prospecting skills.
To find out more – or to join us for our first meeting on Tuesday October 30 at The Hub starting at 9 am, click here: http://growyourbusinesstpl.eventbrite.com/
One Last Thought:
“There’s only one direction you can coast.”
— Brian Tracy, Author