Have you ever heard the saying, “Practice makes perfect?” I have heard this most of my life. Too often people believe this wholeheartedly. Well practice does not make perfect!

For the past several years I have played racquetball an average of 2-3 times per week. I enjoy playing racquetball for several reasons. Two of the most important reasons for me are: it’s good exercise and I cherish the friendships that I have made. Michael Vernola, Bryan Titus, Levi Barcourt, Don Gale, Stacey Richardson, Carl Martin, David Santiago, Jeff Welch, John Rack, Rhett Rainey, Randy Pores, Mike Berlin, Charlie Brown, Cory Welborn, Heinz Heinisch, Dr. Jim Killeen, Alan Hickson, Keith Ahlgren, Matt Fontana, Chris Andrews, Steve Smith, Michael Miller Jr., Maurice Miller and Marquis Miller are friends of mine who prior to playing racquetball, I had never heard of them nor had they heard of me.

Bryan Titus, Don Gale and Michael Vernola have taught me so much about the game of racquetball.

Michael Vernola

Michael Vernola recently noticed that I was hitting a shot wrong. Although I had practiced that shot and I could hit it consistently, it was still wrong. He sent me a video where Ben Croft, the number 8 ranked player in the I.R.T. explained how to hit the shot correctly. After I saw his mechanics and heard the explanation, I understood why the way I hit the shot was horrible at best. Even though I practiced hitting that shot many times, it was still wrong.

In talking with people, many people will keep practicing a variety of things wrong. There are consultants, coaches, books, workshops and seminars that can instruct a person in the proper mechanics for success.

I have spoken with different couples who have a marriage that stands on rocky ground but each person of the couple wants to blame the other. Occasionally, one person of the couple will seek help but often, neither person wants attend a marriage seminar, speak with a counselor or read a book that will properly work on their marriage. The old saying is, “Marriage is grand but divorce is 100 grand.” Divorce not only wreaks havoc on the husband and the wife but also on any children and other family members.

Business owners of struggling businesses will follow the same pattern. What they have been doing does not produce results but they will not seek help.

Whether it’s marriage, business, recreational sports or life, you don’t have to fail. Invest in yourself by reading, hiring a consultant like Training of Champions or a business coach or attending a seminar. You can make it; you can be the champion that you desire to be but as Dr. Ivan Misner says, “The secret to success without hard work is still a secret.”

Quit practicing the wrong things over and over. Practice does not make perfect but perfect practice makes perfect. Not next week but right now, what are you willing to do to start some perfect practices?   

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       James Barber

       Author of the Networking Guru

       Networking-Guru.com