Preparation

Preparation seems to be a popular word right now if you live on the southeast or gulf coast. I must say that I miss being in South Florida slapping up hurricane shutters, tying down boats and helping the neighbors with any preparations they may have. However, it appears that our new home in NC is going to get some storm love this weekend. Waiting until the last minute to do hurricane prep can bring on quite a level of stress and worry that was preventable through preparation.

How well do we prepare for our biz lives? Do we wait for a work storm to loom before we focus on preparation. Often times we do not wait til the storms are looming, we wait until they are all over us and our absence to prepare becomes a repair. When we are in a state of repair, our work is saddled with counterproductive stress and an unhealthy urgency to make things right.

Of course we all deal with the unexpected and necessary repair beckons our attention. Most of the time however, focused preparation can keep us just ahead of the curve or even the next big thing.

Two bits of thought advice that have aided me and many others I know:

Got a meeting coming up?

1) Have a meeting before the meeting. My friend Chad Eudy is keen on this. If Chad has responsibilities for an afternoon meeting, sometime prior he is going to have a meeting before the meeting with key people to make sure they are all best prepared.

Disorganized with your workload?

2) Take time at the close of business on Friday or Sunday evening and spend 30-60mins doing your best to plan each day of your upcoming week. Keep in mind that you need to leave time margin for interruptions. A successful executive once shared his pre-week planning and in his discussion he mentioned that only 10% of working professionals actually plan for their week. At the time, I knew his Monday's were less chaotic than mine. I have made progress in that area with a ways to go, but this method of preparation is fruitful. 

Next post will be on preparation as well - pertaining to giving a speech.

Comments

[Marla Saunders]

Yes, and we miss you here, too, Ryan. Looking at the wobbles of Ike can drive anyone to pack up and head inland!!! I have to admit, though, I do like the community feel of the days ahead of a hurricane.

Great post topic. The concept of prep time at the end of the week is closely related to a few moments spent gathering up the week just past, so that the lessons learned aren't lost. Journaling, list making, goal setting: they sound like trendy ideas, but there is real power in putting pen to paper. A few minutes spent gathering up and looking forward will bring amazing rewards.

[retro jordan 6]

The dew shall weep thy fall to-night

[Air Jordans]

Be to act , that each tomorrow.

[Air Jordan]

Tomorrow is an other day!@

[air jordan]

*Later road, we walk together.*_*

[Chaussures Nike Air Max]

Every cloud has a silver lining.*

[Air Jordan Shoes]

Ces gars-là sont technologiquement désemparés. Chaque fois qu'ils vont là-bas ordinateurs tombent en panne, ils ne trouvent jamais rien, et que ces véhicules sont une plaisanterie. C'est une bonne chose qu'ils ont un bon graphiste pour la publicité que sinon personne ne pourrait jamais voir ce spectacle.