The Power of Preparedness

In the chaotic whirlwind of life, it is often said that luck favors the prepared. Being prepared saves us valuable time and presents us with unique opportunities that others might overlook. Whether it’s in our personal or professional endeavors, cultivating a habit of preparedness can make a significant difference in our lives. When I was younger, I remember my mother commenting on people complaining about bad luck. She will say things like, “You don’t have bad luck. You are just notoriously unprepared.” I’ve always wondered why she would mostly say that to people going through some difficult situations.

Now that I’m older to see the world for what it is and entails, her words are starting to come together and make sense. I realize that she couldn’t have been more right. What she meant was for people not to wait for a perfect opportunity to work toward an opportunity, but for people to visualize possibilities and work toward meeting the opportunities as if it was always meant for them.

One specific thing that annoyed my mother at the time was how young folks would complain and be frustrated at our pollical situation at the time and use the fact that the government didn’t provide jobs, financial support, or a good economic environment to thrive, to drop out of school or refuse to test for certifications or professional development. These young individuals would ask themselves, what was the point of doing anything, going to school, or taking any professional development courses, only to be out of a job and miserable? After having been around these sorts of comments for a while, I started formulating my own and expressing frustration similar to everyone else’s. 

My comments made my mother livid. She made me understand that I was never allowed to make such a comment in her presence. Never again in her lifetime, she repeated to me. In her own way, she ensured that it was clear to me that she was not joking. She continued and told me that she didn’t care how much the jobs were lacking, how badly our economic situation was, and that I only had one job and one job. And that job was to make sure that I acquired all that I needed to obtain the ideal job that I would have had in a perfect economic situation.

Then she went on and asked what job I wished to have in that ideal booming economy. I told her that I wanted to become an accountant, then she wondered what would be required to become an accountant. I explained the degree’s requirements and the exams one must pass and get certified. Then she told me to go on and start with a plan to get these degrees and the certification I mentioned. At the moment, I wanted to scream from the top of my lungs, what for? You know, I would never get such a job even if I had the degree but I remembering what had just happened to me early with such a comment, so I kept quiet and nodded yes.

Boy, was she right? As she had asked, I continued my education even though I thought it was a waste of time. Yet I continued out of fear of repercussions from my mom. One year before I graduated my undergrad school, my country, which had not hired public servants in more than thirty years due to a lack of budget and international financial support, launched a large recruitment campaign for public servants. Although this campaign was politically motivated because the country was apparently looking to show its good faith to some international investors, guess who benefited from this unique opportunity? You guess right. Ever since I was offered a job that I never dreamed of having, I stopped talking about any learning being a waste of time and just learned. Ever since, I have enjoyed learning just about anything because I remember that, as my mother would say, I never know when that specific skill will become handy and highly in demand.

You probably heard stories of someone who prepared for something their entire life and one day the universe conspired to delivery to them that one thing that they wanted so badly. For me, I’ve heard the flip side of such stories and as Om Swami would put it, a gift can quickly become a curse to the unprepared and to the prepared, it would be a blessing.

This story is to tell you that you cannot ever give up because of your current situation. Continue investing in yourself. You never know when or how a skill of yours will be needed, you just have to be ready.

Time is one of our most precious resources, and being prepared allows us to use it efficiently. When we plan ahead and organize around our wishes and wants, we can get closer to our goals more effectively. You can even start with something as small as creating a to-do list for short-term and long-term goals and keep track of these goals. Adjust the goals according to your life situation but be honest with yourself. Don’t downgrade any plan because of an “it is too hard” excuse. Remember to prioritize tasks as prioritizing and preparedness ensure that we allocate our time wisely and avoid the trap of procrastination.

Life is full of uncertainties and unexpected challenges. However, those who are prepared are better equipped to face and overcome these hurdles. By anticipating potential roadblocks, we can formulate contingency plans around possible drawbacks and remain calm in the face of adversity. When we are prepared, we are better flexible to situations that life would throw at us and this adaptability is a valuable skill that allows us to maintain focus on our goals and prevents us from getting derailed by unexpected setbacks as everybody else.

Additionally, preparedness breeds confidence. When we are well-prepared for a situation or task, we are more assured of our abilities, which, in turn, helps us perform better. Being prepared gives us the self-assurance needed to excel, whether it is at work, an exam, or a social event. Additionally, the more prepared we are, the more knowledgeable and competent we become, making us stand out in our chosen endeavors.

Furthermore, it is uncanny that opportunities often come disguised as challenges or fleeting moments. Those who are prepared quickly recognize and seize these opportunities as what it is, while others might panic. Preparedness gives us the agility to act promptly when a chance presents itself, increasing the likelihood of success in our personal and professional lives.

In the competitive landscape of today’s world, preparedness gives us a significant edge. Employers, friends, and colleagues admire individuals who are prepared for life situations. This sets us apart from the rest and positions us as reliable and capable individuals, increasing our chances of success and advancement in our careers and life’s goals.

Being prepared in life is a powerful tool that can save us time and open doors to opportunities that others may miss. By embracing time efficiency, navigating challenges easily, building confidence and competence, seizing opportunities, fostering positive relationships, and gaining a competitive edge, we can make the most out of our lives.

Preparedness is not just a trait but a mindset that requires discipline and dedication. It empowers us to face life’s uncertainties with a sense of assurance and readiness. So, let us make a conscious effort to prioritize preparedness in our lives and watch as it propels us toward achieving our dreams and aspirations while positively impacting those around us. Remember, success favors the prepared mind.