As the joke goes, “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” “Practice, practice, practice.” It’s funny – and it’s true. Not only when it comes to music, but also in every arena of life, you can imagine. For example, being an entrepreneur requires discipline in several areas of expertise since you are the one running the enterprise. Tuck these three crucial skills under your belt, and then continue developing them as you make your way down the road.

Staying Organized

This is an ongoing practice and not just a one-time task. Organization involves how you approach time, paperwork, and money. There are many ways to practice: by cleaning up your room every day, designating a specific place for each item you own, writing a list of goals every morning, and checking them off as you go (while still allowing yourself flexibility for unexpected events or reordering of your priorities), and creating a personal budget you stick to as much as possible.

Communicating Clearly

As an entrepreneur, you’ll be communicating regularly with customers, employees, and other professionals. Quality communication is concise (there’s a balance between enough detail and too much detail), engaging (you want to draw people in to hear what you have to say), and authentic (always be true to yourself and what you honestly provide through your business). You’ll probably communicate through a variety of avenues: in person, by phone, through email, over social media – so you need to consider things like tone and proofreading. Here’s the key takeaway: you may have a great business idea, but if you can’t communicate it clearly, it’ll likely fall flat.

Handling Conflict

Most people don’t enjoy conflict, but you still have to deal with it. You might as well find ways to respond to it professionally. As you perfect your business, you’ll sometimes receive constructive criticism, and at other times, you may encounter a customer or employee who lashes out at you. Do your best to listen and try to put yourself in their shoes. Strive for gentle yet forthright confrontation when necessary. And always be the first to admit when you’ve made a mistake or even done something unethical.

With the joke about Carnegie Hall, there’s a worthwhile destination in mind. Likewise, keep your eye on the goal when it comes to your professional vision, and then you’ll have a steadfast reason to practice these skills – and continue practicing them even when the going gets tough. In the years to come, you’ll be able to look back on your progress and celebrate your growth.