We Talkin’ Bout Practice
and how you can learn from Philly’s Finest
4.23.24
⏳ THE LINE-UP
What’s on the lineup card (agenda)?
Today, we are touching base on the importance of deliberate practice. We’ll offer a few different “practice techniques" and how you can use them as an individual or team.
Sorry AI.
☕️ THE WARM-UP
Most people want to improve their skills but struggle to make meaningful progress despite their efforts. Unless, we lean into Deliberate Practice.
We aren't checking the boxes at practice.
We are talking about designing a structured and focused approach to skill development during our practice.
But how do you create an environment that is focused, detailed and specific to actually move the ball down the court - or business forward?
*PSA there will be no shortage of sports metaphors if this is your first time reading Touching Base.
It’s hard to create an environment if you don't have a Mickey Goldmill in your corner on your way to fight Apollo Creed. You think Rocky becomes Rocky without deliberate practice? He didn't stop there though. He paired deliberate practice with these methods below.
⛳️ PREGAME
Although some traditional practice methods do work (i.e. SMART GOALS - meh) a number of these practices or methods fall short because of the lack of agility and rigidness they require.
This leads to the real life experience happening (on the court, in the boardroom, on the sales call) and you having to adapt or pivot real-time without proper “practice.”
To quote Iron Mike - “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”
My take:
⏱ GAMETIME
Instead of trying to set SMART goals and watching them get derailed from decisions outside of your control, try this framework from a coach, mentor and friend, Ben Newman.
He calls it a PrizeFighter Day. You can download it HERE.
TLDR: Everyday, you commit one business activity, one personal activity and one activity in service of others. Seems simple, but can you be this disciplined and do it for 90 days?
It takes PRACTICE.
I’ve created a similar PrizeFighter Day for my deliberate practice.
Spoiler alert - you are reading the outcome of it with this newsletter. Here are steps for my PrizeFighter Practice that helps me write this newsletter. I wrote this yesterday.
Write down one idea or quote I heard that inspires me during the day
i.e. the way you do one thing is the way you do everything - Saban
Write down one conversation that had an impact on me today and who it was with.
Coffee with my old shortstop talking about his 10 year baseball career
Write down a lesson learned and application (this is part of my journaling routine).
NIL has changed college sports forever. Collegiate and professional coaching staffs need to adjust and CLR can help.
Action Create an offering for them.
I do this EVERYDAY.
When you engage in deliberate practice, plan, get feedback, iterate and repeat - you win long term. It’s not just about the game, it’s about the practice.
🏁 THE CLOSE
Commit to creating a Prizefighter Day. Want help? Book 15 minutes with me HERE!
Listen to this 60 seconds from Coach Prime and keep making plays in practice.
Read “Outliers: The Story of Success" by Malcolm Gladwell: In this book, Malcolm Gladwell examines the factors that contribute to exceptional achievement. While not specifically about practice, pay attention to the chapter about 10,000 hours.
ON DECK
Teaser to What Leadership Pillar and Topic Is Up for Next Week
Next week, we are talkin’ about dreams, teams, The Dream Team and aspirations with the 2024 Summer Olympics just under 100 days away.
