By Zig Ziglar

Several years ago Shinichi Suzuki, a Japanese teacher, developed a method of teaching music which later was adapted to teaching other skills.  The first thing Suzuki did was teach his students how to take a bow.  The reason is simple: When performers take a bow, the audience will applaud.  Shakespeare said that “the applause of a single human being is of great consequence,” so for a youngster to hear applause is an important step towards having that youngster feel good about himself.

The Suzuki method was simple but effective.  Suzuki placed a recording by the side of the baby’s crib and played the same song many times.  This process was repeated for two or three years.  At about age three the child was taken with its mother to music lessons and watched the adult play the violin.  At about age four the child was given a miniature violin and started learning the scale and initially some simple melodies. 

At one particular grand event, Suzuki had over fifteen hundred youngsters, ranging in age from seven to twelve, playing in concert.  They were not playing simple melodies; they were playing the works of the great violinists of the world, symphony orchestra pieces and sophisticated classical music.  They played it beautifully.  The interesting thing is that, according to Suzuki, very few, if any, of these children had any “natural” musical ability.  It was a learned skill.

Those children had been conditioned to love and appreciate music.  They had been exposed to good teaching and training and with much effort and hard work they had become accomplished musicians.  This approach will work in virtually any area of life. 

Now, just in case you might be thinking negatively “this won’t work for me,” let me remind you that I’m talking about a scientifically validated procedure for acquiring skills that will make a difference in your life.  Give it a try and I’ll SEE YOU AT THE TOP! 

Zig Ziglar is known as America’s motivator.   He is the author of 30 books .  Check out his latest book, Born to Win.