As one of our kitties marches back and forth across the keyboard (helping me), I'm contemplating skating and business. I understand that skating coaches undergo a certification process and that there are continuing education requirements, but from where I stand as a skater, there seem to be three things that define a coach. The first is to always say, "Have fun!" just before the door closes (to me, it always sounds like the door slams shut...and then echos) for a performance or a test. The second is to often say, "That was MUCH better!" when the skater lands on his or her rear end. The third thing is to be able to repeat "One more" for up to ten minutes. Anyone who can master these three phrases and apply them at the appropriate times is halfway to being a successful skating coach.
What do these same phrases, and the ideas behind them, have to do with business? Or with any endeavor or new skill, for that matter? Everything! Except for the vanishingly few true prodigies out there, new skills and new ways of doing things are mastered in increments. It doesn't necessarily feel any better, as I'm slowing standing up and brushing snow off myself, to hear the encouraging words, "That was MUCH better," but I do understand that something I did, prior to the gravity attack, showed improvement. The process builds to the outcome, and the means to a consistent, solid landing starts before the jump or spin actually starts. And so it is with business or with any skill--a consistent, solid outcome comes from incremental successes that may not look particularly meaningful at the time. In the world of business, this sometimes is called building a foundation. It's the work that comes before the payoff; the education that comes before the job, the training that comes before the performance.
Which leads to "One more"; a phrase I know is not true! Oh, if I had a nickel for each time I heard it! First, this is spoken as an encouragement, as in "You're so close! Don't give up now!" It's difficult to offer that same encouragement to oneself, especially if the desired outcome or goal doesn't seem imminent. A friend or mentor, if not a coach, can be so helpful with this particular type of encouragement. "One more," also builds consistency through repetition. Having performed a particular move correctly, quick! Do it again! One more time, to see if I really understand what to do and to start building the muscle memory. Not so good on the third repetition? Let's fix it and do one more. In skating, as in anything else that has a mastery component, I have found that "one more" becomes personal habit and not just a direction inflicted by a coach. I find myself often saying to my coach, "Just one more," even after she is ready for us to move on! This perseverance in the drive for mastery can propel any of us forward through difficult times and situations. My children don't quite have it yet in their piano-playing, but I hope that they will see the value of "one more time" as a key to progress.
Finally, have fun. Preferably, someone says this without ominous overtones! "Have fun," often is the final direction from coach to skater before a performance. Even if nothing about the situation feels like fun, the reminder is for the skater to remember why he or she is performing or competing. The vast majority of skaters do it for fun and for the challenge. Once the endeavor stops being driven by enjoyment (occasional frustrations aside), it's probably time to stop. The same holds true with a job or with a business. While having fun can't necessarily be the sole, or even primary driver of an activity which is the person's means of support, it should be somewhere in the mix. Unrelieved and unrelenting frustration is not only not fun, it's not good business. I remember many years ago trying to jog my husband's memory of a young lady with whom I skated. I described her several different ways, and finally his face lit up. "Oh," he said. "The one who hates skating?" The young lady had never said anything to that effect, certainly not to him, but her whole presentation and demeanor while performing spoke volumes. If there is no fun to be had, it shows, and if it shows, it's not good for business, or for the job.
Incremental improvement, persistent striving for mastery and fun along the way make for both great skating and great work!
