Coaching Corner: Practice -- practice -- practice
By "Coach" Marilou Butcher Roth
Any of you who have taken musical instrument lessons as a child might well have the same response when you hear the word “practice.†Oh no! I have to practice again!!! The reality, however, is that every new endeavor that comes our way will most probably require some degree of practice if becoming proficient is our goal.
Think about some of the areas of your life that require some time to get up to speed. It might be learning a new sports skill or finding an area of your business that requires more attention. The examples are countless.
Today, take this a step further -- think about becoming an expert at communication. Clean, clear communication! We as a society are very used to communicating in certain ways, as are our families and even our business associates. It's as if there is a learned dance that we fall into -- although familiar, it is not necessarily productive or fun. We need to bring new patterns of communication into all areas of our lives -- speaking from what is true for each of us, taking healthy responsibility for ourselves, not assuming, and checking things out for clarity.
As you learn to speak your own truth from an authentic, non-arguable way, it may feel unnatural at first (or second...or third!). That is normal, I promise. And, I also promise that with practice (eek), you will begin not just to feel better, but to notice how others respond to you differently (in a good way).
So this week, I encourage you to put some attention on what you would like to get really good at. And also, think about your communication skills and how you might bring more integrity into conversations. Once you make that determination, commit to practicing these new skills and see what happens!! And don't throw tomatoes at me but indeed, practice makes perfect!
Marilou Butcher Roth
Marilou Butcher Roth is the owner of The MBR Group, a coaching and training company working primarily with REALTORS who have a desire to work and live from a more inspired place. She is also the Broker/Owner of Group REALTORS in Cincinnati.
Marilou is a member of the Ohio REALTORS Board of Directors and past chairman of the organization’s Communications Committee.
