You have a much better chance to get really good at what you care about.

I listened to David Greene interview Barry Manilow this week on NPR’s Morning Edition.  Confession:  I’m not a wild Barry Manilow fan.  But, that does not matter.  Barry Manilow is clearly very good at what he does – over the long haul.  Why?

From the interview (click here to listen, or read the transcript):

GREENE: You know, I read an interview with you from The Guardian newspaper earlier this year, and there was a quote that stuck out to me. You said, talking about your routine when you’re on the road: I’m in a hotel room, sold out at Radio City, private plane, 30 years of hotel rooms by yourself. I mean, what keeps you going? MANILOW: I love music. I love any opportunity I have to make music. You know, people ask me what do you do to relax? And I’m so boring, because I go up to my studio and I create.
GREENE: That doesn’t sound boring.

There’s the secret.  “I love music. I love any opportunity I have to make music.”

People will spend a lot of time doing what they care about a great deal.

This has implications for a whole lot of pieces of your personal and professional life.  In my case, I am primarily a speaker/teacher.  And, you know what? – I love it.  I love speaking.  Now, I’m not sure I’m as good at it as I want to be, but I know this – I put in the time, and thought.  I like speaking.

So, here’s your communication tip of the day.  If you want to get good at speaking to others, your first step is lo learn to love it.  Only then will you put in the time it takes to get good at it.  Because, you won’t get good at it without putting in the time.  You won’t get good at anything without putting in the time!