What is preparation? According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Preparation means “the action or process of making ready or being made ready for use or consideration.”
How important is preparation? Would you say that preparation only applies to major projects, events, or business presentations? I would say that preparation should be a part of our everyday lives.
This week in Atlanta, Georgia, we experienced a winter storm that came through our city in a matter of hours and turned thousands of lives upside-down and inside out. Fear gripped our city; people were stranded, vehicles were tossed on the highways like toy cars, trucks were unable to move their products, accidents outnumbered our emergency response teams, children were separated from their parents, a child was born on the side of the highway, and lives were lost. Many seemed to suggest that the City of Atlanta was NOT properly prepared, more could have been done, and if an emergency plan had been in place, the citizens and visitors of Atlanta would not have experienced such chaos and turmoil. Would you say that preparation only applies to major projects, events, or business presentations? Well, I would say that preparation should be a part of our everyday lives.
In life, it is important to properly prepare for the unexpected. For example, a woman who is expecting her first child must prepare for the big day. I’m not just talking about painting the baby’s room or picking out baby clothes or a stroller. But the first thing she must do is see a doctor; by doing so, he/she will give her specific instructions and an action plan regarding what’s to come over the next nine months. Here’s what’s amazing about this process: she must continue to “Revisit” the action plan that was given to her. By doing so, she will be properly prepared when the big day comes!
No matter where you are in life, preparation is vital as it relates to your family, work, church, business, and even the unexpected. Having an emergency plan in place and revisiting it often could save lives. I would encourage you not to be found with these words coming from your mouth because you were not properly prepared: “I will be better prepared next time.”
Listen, only a fool will not learn from their prior mistakes or lessons, so don’t be foolish. You know the saying, “Insanity is when a person keeps doing the same thing and expecting different results!”
REMEMBER: Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance!