The essential power of warming up is well-known and religiously applied by high performers in nearly every endeavor.
Even intellectual tasks benefit from physical warmup routines, such as stretching and a brisk walk to get the blood flowing and to increase the oxygen supply to the brain. Top performers believe in lubricating the mind and body before they perform.
Some turn to reading, solving brain puzzles, or drawing as ways to prime the mind and get it ready to perform. Almost everyone rehearses some of the same actions the performance requires, sometimes in slow-motion or faster motion to get the cobwebs out or to focus on deliberate actions. Having a consistent routine to get ready and warm up is a constant for those who perform at the highest level.
Not surprisingly, as people age, they require even more warmup and rehearsal to get the body and mind ready to perform. Some go to great lengths to fight off the negative effects of age. For instance, consider what the 1970s musician Steve Miller (Fly Like an Eagle, The Joker) does to prepare for a concert performance. At the ripe old age of 80, Miller recently completed a 45-city tour in the U.S.
Before every show, Miller does a 30-minute vocal warm-up while walking on a steeply-inclined treadmill. Once completed, he works with small weights to loosen his joints and to make his movements more fluid. This is followed by playing the guitar for 45 minutes so as to “make every finger work.” Lastly, he conducts a group singing exercise with his entire band for 30 minutes.
Wow!
Designing a rehearsal routine prior to a performance is something leaders of all ages should consider. Whether you’re 30 or 80, like Miller, you need a warmup routine that prepares you to perform at your best. In the words of Miller, “The minute I open my mouth, I want to sing any song as good as you ever heard it.”
All high performers share a common goal. They all want to be their best each time they enter the arena, wherever that might be. Without a consistent warmup routine to lubricate the mind and body and to boost self-confidence, even talented and highly polished professionals will find it hard to be at their best every time.
Remember, no one wants to fly on a jet that just started its engines. Design a warmup or rehearsal routine that works for you. And don’t forget to get those fingers working.
A Daily Dispatch from the Front Lines of Leadership.
