Here is an excerpt from a recent blog post by Josh Linkner. As always, he offers excellent advice on how to achieve success (however defined), in this instance by becoming better prepared than anyone else is to do whatever must be done. Long ago, Coleman Cox observed, “The harder I work, the luckier I am.” I agree while presuming add, “The smarter I work, the better the results.” Presumably Linkner agrees.

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Pilots are required to invest hundreds of hours in simulated flight scenarios before taking command of a live aircraft. Race car simulators help drivers prepare for the unexpected, so that they’ll be fully ready for unforeseen circumstances. Astronauts first experience weightlessness in a simulation chamber so they can become accustomed to a gravity-free environment.

Simulations are used by top performing surgeons, symphony conductors, and professional athletes. Attorneys hone their skills in mock trials while boxers spend hours sparring in the ring before the big fight. Closely mimicking a high-stakes experience before it actually happens invariably leads to better performance.

Now think for a moment about the work that matters most to you. The importance of interviewing a new job candidate, holding that mission-critical team meeting, or giving an impactful performance review of your team member. Or maybe you’ve got a big upcoming pitch – to an investor, new client, or key partner. Your products and services may be high stakes as well, whether you organize mountain climbing excursions, produce luxury hand-finished furniture, or run a retail shop in a busy shopping mall. How you perform determines how well you’ll serve your customers, family, and community. With such important outcomes on the line, have you first bothered to do a dry run?

In the business world, we’re just supposed to know what were doing: 50+ hours a week of performance with virtually no time for training and preparation. The idea of an NFL player running zero practice drills before the Super Bowl or a Broadway performer never bothering to rehearse for opening night sounds crazy. Yet isn’t that exactly what we do in our professional lives?

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Josh Linkner is a tech entrepreneur, NY Times bestselling author, venture capitalist, and top-rated keynote speaker. He is Chairman/Co-Founder of Fuel Leadership, founding partner of Detroit Venture Partners, and a weekly contributor to Forbes, The Detroit Free Press, and Inc. Magazine. He also plays a mean jazz guitar. For more, visit JoshLinkner.com.

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