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 utilised 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”.

• • To get ready

• • A preparatory act or measure.

• • The action or process of preparing or being prepared for use or consideration.

• • 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”

• • Education

• • Study

• • Preparedness

• • Plan

• • 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:

• • Set my alarm to get up in the morning

• • Set my alarm to pray and meditate every morning

• • 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 Unser Bobby 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.