UXL Blog

A while back, I introduced my “5 P’s of Courage,” which are: Prepare, Pep Talk, Power Pose, Project Energy, and Plan B. If you’d like an explanation about all five, read this article. Otherwise, I’m going to focus on the first of the five P’s: Prepare.

It is difficult to overemphasize the importance of preparation. Whether you’re planning for a job interview, thinking about going on a long hike, or creeping up on your annual review, preparation is key. Though some of us are lucky, luck “favors the prepared.” If you practice and plan long enough, you don’t need luck on your side at all. Even if things don’t go perfectly, you’ll be prepared enough to muddle through.

Preparation is an essential career skill—perhaps one of the most important there is. With enough foresight and planning, you can do just about anything! You can pull off a successful speaking engagement in front of 250 people. You can nail your team meeting. You can earn a raise or promotion. You can tactfully field a difficult conversation.

Preparation isn’t always easy. It takes time (e.g. putting together notecards or a PowerPoint presentation) and practice (standing in front of a mirror and going over what you’re going to say). You might have to engage the help of others, or you may have to do a bit of research. However, your preparation has the potential to pay dividends.

Aside from readying yourself to face a particular situation, preparation also has a fortune side effect: it gives you a boost of courage. If you know you’re prepared and know your stuff, you’ll inevitably feel more confident than if you were unprepared or underprepared. Not only that, you’re less likely to be ruffled if someone throws a curveball at you or something goes wrong. It’s your secret weapon when it comes to acting and feeling more confident.

In short: it pays to prepare. Why lean on luck when you can make your own?

Looking for a job change? Or, hoping to accelerate your current career? Check out the career resources (both FREE and paid) on my website!

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. 
CHECK OUT MARGARET’S ONLINE LEADERSHIP COURSE. 

Tags: 5 P's of Courage, career and preparation, importance of preparation, luck favors the prepared, margaret smith career coach, Margaret Smith Minneapolis career coach