Practice The Plays

Last week I was reminded of a great best practice; practice the plays. I was playing in a Shriner golf tournament with two friends. The format was scramble or best ball. Each of us had a chance to contribute to the group’s score and final outcome of the tournament. Now I had not picked up a golf club since November, and had not made the time to practice before the tournament. I figured I could hit some balls before the tournament started and could iron out any kinks then. I was dead wrong.

The tournament started on time but wouldn’t you know it, it rained up until tee time (no practice for me). The first tee was a beautiful par 4 with a wide-open fairway to land a drive in. I stepped up to the box, gave a practice swing, and then sprayed my ball into the woods. I will spare you the details of the next eight holes but thank goodness I had a dead ringer on the team! I was not truly contributing to the team until the back nine holes. I should have spent time at the practice facility and maybe played a round or two beforehand.

The same is true in our business and sales lives. If you do not practice your plays before you get to the game, it may take you a while to get the rust off; and you may not have the advantage of a dead ringer on the team!