Do you have a number of goals and objectives that you would like to achieve, but don’t know how best to position yourself to achieve your desired results?
Do you often wonder how others seem to get everything they want or get the job or start the career of their dreams?
Then this blog post is for you.
For the most part of my life, I have utilized preparation as a great tool to achieve my goals and objectives and I believe that you can also achieve the same.
Learning Objective: This blog post aims to enlighten and encourage readers, that there is power in planning and taking the time to prepare ahead of your goals and objectives adequately, but there is even greater power in knowing that it is God Almighty who ultimately grants success. Psalm 121:1-2.
Want to Succeed in Life? Then, you must start with Preparation.
What Does It Mean To Prepare And Why Is Preparation Important To Achieving Success?
For anything worth doing in life, you must take the necessary steps to prepare for it. Yewi Taiwo
Let’s take a look at the definition of the word “Prepare”.
The Oxford Dictionary’s definition of the word prepare.
Latin word praeparāre, Latin Praeparationem (nominative preparation) “a making ready”.
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- To get ready
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- A preparatory act or measure.
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- The action or process of preparing or being prepared for use or consideration.
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- The action or process of making something ready for use or service or of getting ready for some occasion, test, or duty.
Synonyms of the word “Prepare”
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- Education
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- Study
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- Preparedness
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- Plan
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- Training
Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. Abraham Lincoln
Take a moment or two to reflect on how you go about your daily life. Can you identify and make a list of at least 3 things you need to prepare for on a daily basis?
I can think of 3 things I need to prepare for daily:
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- Set my alarm to get up in the morning
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- Set my alarm to pray and meditate every morning
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- Draft a to-do list of key tasks to action before going to bed.
The above is an example of the simple steps I take daily in order to prepare ahead for each day.
By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. Benjamin Franklin
The art of taking the time to prepare ahead in all facets of life is the root of an actionable mindset.
Understanding the need to get prepared ahead of any situation i.e. a meeting, a speech, an occasion, a dialogue, a job interview etc. takes wisdom and great rationale.
It could be tempting to just go on with the flow of life, but understanding and acknowledging the power of preparation is a gift in itself.
Over the course of my journey in life, I have come to the realisation that what you get out of life, is a function of what you put into it.
The course of life has no favourites and life favours and yields positive outcomes to those who know and understand the concept of adequate preparation.
As an individual, I grew up with great admiration for successful, honourable and hardworking individuals and I am a stickler for attaining success and excellence in all ramifications of life.
The art of being prepared “come what may” can be applied to every aspect of your life.
Be it in your personal relationship with God, your interpersonal relationships, at school or university, in your career, at work, with your finances, your family, your health & lifestyle, in church, the community etc.
Being adequately prepared requires a determined mind, clarity of what is being prepared for, focus, commitment, strategic planning and taking action.
Why is Preparation Important For Success?
Below are 7 key reasons why preparation is important to attain success in life.
It Puts You In A Position Of Readiness
Whatever your goals in life might be, taking the time to meditate, reflect and draft a plan on how you intend to achieve your goals is a core aspect of preparation.
When you begin to take steps to plan and prepare i.e. for an upcoming exam, for a job interview, for a meeting, for a presentation etc you get yourself ready in advance for your goals.
Being prepared puts you in a better position to deal with and manage the unexpected hiccups that could occur.
It Can Unlock Great Opportunities
Being prepared could mean a number of things ie developing your mindset, studying for an exam, preparing ahead for a meeting with your boss or the CEO, expanding your knowledge and awareness in your career industry, ahead of a medical appointment etc could put you in a position of seizing a great opportunity.
Being adequately prepared enables you to ask the right questions, identify gaps, enhance your decision-making ability, increase your wisdom and empower you to take adequate action.
It could land you a great job offer; it could save you time and money, enable you to excel in your projects or exams and could give you an upper hand during a negotiation dialogue and could see you walking out with a big win.
Success is where preparation and opportunity meet. Bobby UnserBobby Unser Success Quotes | QuoteHD
It Sharpens Your Mind And Enables You To Focus On Your Goals.
Taking the time to plan and prepare ahead of your goals enables you to focus squarely on the goals which lie ahead of you. As you begin to study, conduct research, and read up on the news, articles, and publications it develops your thoughts and enables you the see the bigger picture and where you can possibly fit in.
Measure twice, cut once. Measure Twice, Cut Once – Proverbsy
It Sets You Apart From Your Counterparts And Will Position You As The Right Fit For The Situation
Adequate preparation has its payoffs, coming from someone who has utilised this skill to achieve my desired goals and objectives and I can assure you that you won’t go wrong developing this successful skill.
Preparation will set you apart from your counterparts and enable you to add value to your responses, your presentation, your positioning etc.
Empower you for the task ahead and you are well-placed to execute the job efficiently.
It will also give assurance to the other party that you are committed to the situation at hand and that it means a lot to you.
Preparation Enables You To Deal With The Unexpected
Taking the time to prepare is an act of commitment toward your goals and as you begin to study and conduct your research you are more than likely to uncover very useful pieces of information be it positive or negative and will grant you the opportunity to identify gaps, issues and to perceive and understand things in more depth regarding the situation at hand.
You will be in a much better position to assess the situation at hand, present to your audience a well-thought-out proposal or proffer solutions which will set you apart from your peers and will portray you as a person of added value and benefits to the other party.
Adequate preparation could also help you make better and smarter decisions and enable you to decide if something is the right fit for you or if you are on the right path.
Preparation Enables You To Hit The Ground Running
Let’s imagine that you have an upcoming exam, job interview, presentation or meeting with a client, taking the time to prepare will empower you with the knowledge and information you need to progress smoothly.
Being prepared will put you at ease and greatly increase your confidence and clarity of the situation at hand. It will enable you to keep things up quickly, identify bottlenecks and enable you to add value where possible.
It Positions You As a Capable Individual And Provides Assurance To The Other Party
Being adequately prepared will portray you as an individual who is committed, disciplined, enthusiastic and capable of the situation.
Being adequately prepared speaks volumes and could be the determining factor when making a decision on who to hire, award the contract, award pass marks or appoint.
Being adequately prepared gives assurance to the other party of your capability and commitment.
What is the Value of Preparation?
Below is an exhaustive list of the value-added benefits of preparing ahead to achieve your goals.
Self-Discipline
Preparation will build your self-discipline.
There are a million and one other things you could do with your time, but making out time and committing yourself to prepare ahead is an act of Discipline and Commitment to achieving your goals and objectives.
Enhanced Focus
Preparation enhances your focus and enables you to see what lies ahead of you and will help you to focus on the big picture.
Preparation enables you to start with the end in mind.
Gets Your Creative Juices Flowing
Preparation can stimulate your creative mind. In the process of preparing, researching, studying and collating information and knowledge, you begin to uncover lots of useful ideas; thoughts which could help you conceive great ideas and concepts, which you might not have uncovered had you not taken the time to prepare.
Develops Your Problem-Solving Abilities
Preparation will enhance your problem-solving abilities. As you prepare you will begin to identify patterns, gaps, and bottlenecks. It gives you the platform to ask questions, analyse data, draw conclusions and develop answers and possible solutions.
Presents Opportunities To Add Value Where Necessary
According to the Oxford dictionary, one of the definitions of value is “the importance, worth or the usefulness of something” another definition states that value is “to consider someone or something to be important or beneficial, to have a high opinion of”
Being adequately prepared will give you the opportunity to perform better or deliver more than what is expected of you and therefore place you in high regard before the decision-makers.
Increased Chances Of Success
Adequate preparation will give you an increased chance of succeeding in achieving your desired goals and objectives and could ultimately enable a win-win outcome for both parties involved.
Develops Your Leadership Skills & Abilities
Adequate preparation will increase and enable you to develop your leadership skills and abilities, as you will be in a better position to lead and positively influence those around you with the knowledge, wisdom and understanding that you have gathered over time.
Summary
As detailed above, Preparation amongst all other factors is the key to attaining success in life. The good news is that anyone can develop the habit of preparation. As you develop this habit, you will find yourself on a journey to gaining Effective Control and Actualising your Life Goals.
Please stay tuned for my next blog post, still on the topic of Preparation.
Do you have great goals and objectives to achieve and don’t know where to start?
Do you feel overwhelmed, confused and stressed at the thought of accomplishing your personal goals and objectives?
If this sounds like you, I have put together 5 bible scriptures to help encourage and empower you to plan and take action to achieve your desired goals and objectives.
https://mailchi.mp/870fba16d258/7-bible-verses-to-prepare-you-for-a-life-of-success-freebie-download
Click on the link above, to download your free copy of 5 bible scriptures to meditate upon and to encourage you to take action towards achieving great success in all your endeavours!
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Any Comments?
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With Love,
Yewi Taiwo
Gain Clarity, Be Empowered, Take Action and Prosper!