How do you get to Carnegie Hall?

Practice. Practice. Practice.

However, does practice really get you to Carnegie Hall?

Practicing is just the start. Nerves can wreck a performance. So musicians “practice” performing, first for a close friend, then for a group of friends. They progress with increasing pressure levels, performing for a small group of strangers, then a larger group. 

Musicians often perform in small cities before their Carnegie Hall debut. 

Though we are not performing in Carnegie Hall, we have high-pressure performances, like pitching a crucial project, asking for a promotion, or advocating for leadership positions. 

Instead of practicing our communication skills in our head, what happens if we practice in the real world, first with friends, then strangers, before pitching to the executive committee? Practice the art of pitching by pitching favorite restaurants to friends? Next, lead hard conversations with family, then lead complex discussions at work?

Thanks for caring!

With gratitude,

Anwell