We make lots of plans: daily plans, work plans, meal plans, business plans, and vacation plans. Over the years you’ve probably learned that life doesn’t always go as planned.

Murphy sneaks in like a thief in the night and the best-laid plans are suddenly blown out of the water.

Preparing for the unknowable future is crucial in a constantly changing environment. Of course, it’s impossible to prepare for every scenario. Being flexible and thinking outside the box are essential.

Preparation isn’t merely planning for a specific task or event; it’s about setting yourself up for success in life and its many twists and turns.

Here are some tips to help you be better prepared:

• Do It the Night Before – Preparation the “day of” is a recipe for disaster. When you have a proposal or a presentation to make, do you lay your clothes out the night before? Are your handouts printed, your slides organized? Do you have an extra projector bulb and your presentation on a memory stick in your briefcase just in case?
• When Possible, Do It Well in Advance – The further in advance you prepare, the more time you have to remedy any unforeseen obstacles. Gather materials for that big event several days beforehand.
• Do the Pre-Work – Preparation is about doing the work in advance, reading the materials, reviewing the data, practicing the activity. It’s all about being ready.
• Save Time – Do you feel as if you don’t have time to prepare in advance? Being organized and prepared will save you time in the long run.
• Make It a Habit – Make preparation part of your lifestyle, not something you do once in a blue moon. Preparation should be part of your daily habits.

When you know you are prepared, you can relax and interact with those around you.

The unprepared appear frazzled, disorganized, even panicked.

Which would you rather be?

The road is easier together,

Linda Laitala, President
Raven Performance Group