These are the two steps to mastering any skill:
- Understand the Concept
- Develop the Habit
This is true in every domain.
It takes a day to “understand” case interviews. It takes weeks and months of practice to master them.
It takes five minutes to explain multiplication to a child. It takes much longer for the child to master it.
The difference between understanding and mastering is…
Practice
This is, of course, quite obvious.
However, there are three related ideas that are less obvious.
First, most people who want to master a skill don’t schedule time to practice the skill they just learned (conceptually).
Second, while practice is necessary, there is a shortcut to achieving proficiency more quickly.
The long way is to practice and, through trial and error, get it right… eventually.
The shortcut way is to practice in a way that gives you a feedback loop.
There is no point in practicing the wrong way multiple times. It’s not only unproductive, it’s downright counterproductive.
Every person has their own little quirks. These quirks include blind spots in evaluating themselves. Maybe you think you’re charming. Maybe everyone else thinks you’re a jerk. If so, you have a blind spot.
Maybe you think you speak loud enough in meetings. Maybe no one else can hear what you’re saying because you speak too softly… and they assume that what you say must not be important.
Having feedback on how other people experience you is invaluable. It helps you develop awareness of problems that were previously obscured by your blind spots. It also helps you determine if what you’re doing to improve is actually working.
Third, once you master a skill, it’s impossible to forget. Once you learn to ride a bike, you “get it” and can ride again decades later. Sure, you might be a little rusty, but those skills are forever in your body and psyche.
All of this is as true for riding a bike as it is for developing gravitas and executive presence.
Once you understand what produces gravitas and you practice those skills to the point of mastery, you’ll do them automatically for the rest of your life.
One of the most common requests I’ve received regarding my How to Develop Gravitas class comes from students who want a way to practice gravitas skills.
That’s why I will be offering a Gravitas Public Speaking Practice Intensive.
This intensive is an 8-week practice and habit-development workshop where you’ll practice, practice, and practice your online, video-based public speaking skills.
This will be a feedback-intensive opportunity where you will both give and receive feedback on your and other students’ presentations… as well as receive feedback from me or my teaching assistants. I’m so excited to help you practice gravitas habits (with lots of feedback).
Enrollment for my Gravitas Public Speaking Practice Intensive is coming up in a few weeks. If you’d like to learn more and be notified when enrollment opens, just fill the form below.
Yes, Please Notify Me of the Release of the Gravitas Public Speaking Practice Intensive
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