Commentary: Dare to be Great - Preparation is the key to success
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| Published on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 |
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By Spence Finlayson
Before anything else, preparation is the key to success says Alexander Graham Bell, the American inventor of the telephone. In order for us to be reasonably successful in this life we must meticulously prepare to work towards achieving our desired goals, whatever they might be.
Many times we grumble and complain blaming others for our lack of progress and success. As William Shakespeare said that many of us go to our graves with our music still inside of us and take our dreams to the graveyard. We need to prepare purposefully not leaving anything to chance hoping that everything will be alright.
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| Spence Finlayson |
I was a standout track and field athlete 35 years ago in my native Bahamas. I held my high school junior boys triple jump record for a number of years. While competing at meets in the United States like the Florida Relays at the University of Florida in Gainesville, I found that my performance was always better when I was mentally and physically prepared. My mental preparation was always a form of visualization. I saw myself jumping further and further and winning the competition. My physical preparation of course was to closely follow my training regiment.
Today as an accomplished motivational speaker, I prepare fully for all of my presentations making notes on index cards for my opening statement right down to my powerful closing line. I also prepare again by visualizing my audience with their thunderous applause from beginning to end. I research the topic or theme and become fully conversant with my subject matter. Louis Pasteur said “in the field of observation chance favors only the prepared mind.
Some years ago I was watching a “live feed” from my satellite dish and discovered that it was announcer Dan Deirdorf then of ABC along with another announcer rehearsing for their coverage of a Championship title fight from Las Vegas. They ran over their lines over and over until fight time which was four hours away. When the fight eventually started Mr Deirdorf and his co-announcer were brilliant. They had prepared purposefully for this boxing match.
The athletes in the much anticipated upcoming Olympic Games in China have prepared for years for their big moment in the spotlight. Here are some ways for you to prepare for success.
Become a Life-Long Learner….continue to study and learn as much as possible about whatever you are interested in. You are never too old to learn. Life is a growth experience. The great Earl Nighingale, in his best-selling book, The Strangest Secret, said that if we read for two hours every day on any subject, in five years, we would become experts on that subject. In ten years, we would have the equivalent of a PH.D.
Develop a strong belief in a higher power, with a disciplined prayer life. Alfred Lord Tennyson states “more things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of”. We must pray with persistence, understanding and faith. Our prayers affirm our belief that all things are possible. Be assured that your prayers have the power to transform your life.
Set clear definitive goals. Setting precise goals is a great process that helps you to choose where you want to go in life. Obviously by knowing and writing down what you want to achieve, you then know where your efforts should be concentrated. This can be incredibly motivating as you prepare for a successful life. So I implore you to start right now where you are with what you have preparing for your success because preparation is the key to success.
Spence M Finlayson, Bahamian-born, world renowned motivational speaker and corporate trainer is the founder, president and CEO of The Phoenix Institute For Positive Development and Empowerment, a human resources development firm based in Nassau, Bahamas. He has conducted workshops and seminars in over 22 foreign countries. He can be contacted at phoenixinstitute@gmail.com | | | | Reads : 253 | | | |
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