I love watching the Olympics, especially Track and Field. In the last Olympics, the USA men’s team won gold in the 4 x 400. One of the athletes was interviewed after the race. The interviewer asked, “How was your team able to win the race?”
Between the lines, the interviewer wanted to know what separated his team from the rest of the world. What made them different? What allowed his team to succeed against the best and fastest sprinters in the world?
His response was to quote his coach, “Performance reflects preparation.” The sprinters performed at a high level because they prepared at a high level. And in that regard, he wasn’t surprised they won. Why? Because they prepared to first.
I think about those words a lot. An athlete who knows what it takes to win gave us directions on how to win. Victory is found in preparation- long before the starting gun is fired and the runners cross the finish line. Preparation is the key to success.
We can broaden that principle out- professional and personal success will come to those who embrace the importance of preparation. Preparation is how you win races and how you win in life. Winning the race, whatever that race may be, isn’t a matter of luck and it’s not a random process.
Here’s a few tips on how to prepare for success just like that Olympic team.
- Make a plan- be intentional and prepare for success. Be strategic in the way you approach the race. This is true in your professional as well as personal life. And when you create your plan, set measurable goals in place. Set up smaller goals that add up to the bigger goal.
- Commit to the plan- dedicate yourself to the process. Make a commitment to see the plan through to the end. Learn to love the process and take it seriously. This requires a focused determination to make the plan work. Accomplishing anything worthwhile in life requires committing to it, so make it your ambition to wholeheartedly follow through on the plan for success you have made.
- Don’t be afraid to modify your plan- it’s okay to edit your plan and make it better as the plan unfolds. You may discover as you prepare that changes need to be made to improve the quality of your plan and make it better. Don’t be afraid to review your plan and adjust it as needed.
Okay, that’s enough for now. These are my thoughts on the importance of planning when it comes to success. Good luck and have a great weekend!
Ernie