Singer Amy Grant has 6 Grammy Awards, 22 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, and has sold more than 30 million records in her 40-year career. Yet, every night before a performance, she still does a soundcheck.
I was lucky enough to attend her warm-up this weekend, and it involved not only testing of the microphone levels, but arm stretches, vocal cord loosening (through gyrations of pretending to eat a lemon or acting like a lion!), and overall mental preparedness to perform. Even though it was the 41st concert on her most recent tour, she did not take her readiness for granted.
I think organizations would benefit from a “soundcheck” before their important “performances.” Too often people rely on their earlier experiences to prepare for a live program, meeting, speech, or presentation. But that extra mental grounding, physical stretching, and last-minute review of the details may provide the difference that allows you to hit all the high notes and shine on your stage.
