“I’m going to wing it. Me, in reference to something I definitely should not wing it”
– T-shirt slogan
The more experienced we become, the more tempting it is to “wing it.”
Being experienced does not make that a good idea.
In a time when there is so much information available that it’s not ok not to know — our prospects and clients have every right to expect us to be prepared. Well prepared.
Here’s the kicker. We have an opportunity to help them be prepared, too. “Hey, Paula. When we talk on Thursday, what is it you’d like me to be ready to cover?” “Hey, Paul, when we talk on Wednesday, there are two things I’m hoping to get really good insight on; ______________ and ____________. If you’d be willing to dig into those two topics a bit, I’ll know pretty quickly whether I can help you, or, if not, I’ll be able to point you in a direction to get the help you need.”
Great jazz musicians are, by definition, improvisers. After 10,000 hours of rehearsal, however, they are most definitely not winging it.
Preparation might make it look effortless, but difference-makers know that the effort was put in well before the lights went up and the performance began.
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