Just like in a race or game of chess, you must position yourself to make the right move. By being in the right place at the right time, you can dramatically increase your chances for success in any endeavor.
IN THE SPRING OF 1940, Winston Churchill was asked to lead Great Britain in its defense against Germany. Few could argue that Churchill was the right person for the job.
He later wrote, “I felt as if I were walking with destiny, and that all my past life had been but a preparation for this hour and for this trial.” The new Prime Minister became one of the greatest statesmen in world history. He helped England successfully resist and (with the help of the US) eventually defeat the Nazi war machine.
He was PREPARED for leadership.
We don’t have control over what happens TO us. We DO have a great deal of control over how we prepare ourselves and POSITION ourselves for reaching our goals.
There may be times in our lives when the path ahead is unclear—when we’re not quite sure of which direction we should choose. If this is the case, we can always prepare for that time when we ARE clear and we DO know exactly what to do. This can be a valuable time of preparation. And it can pay big dividends. Oftentimes, merely the process of preparation—the activity itself—will provide clarity and certainty as to our plans.
I recommend you use the following checklist to improve your personal positioning. How do you rate in each area? What can you do to enhance your preparedness? It’s not easy, I know. But as Coach Bear Bryant said, “It’s not the will to win, but the will to PREPARE to win that makes the difference.”
- Health and Vitality. You can’t have get-up-and-go if you don’t have a reserve of energy and good health. We must take care of ourselves in order to have the drive and strength to go after our dreams. You know what to do. It’s common sense. Eat right, get adequate rest and take good care of your body. It’s the only one you get.
- Education and Skills. What you know and what you can do in terms of skills is a big part of your positioning. What skills do you need to work on? What do you need to learn?
Take some classes. Do some research. Read. Make a commitment to a life-long search for knowledge and upgrading your skills. It will not only increase your preparation quotient, but it will keep you feeling stimulated—even young. Daniel Webster wrote, “I would as soon appear before an audience half clothed as half prepared.” - Contacts. The people you know and the relationships you have developed over the years can be a virtual gold mine to you. It’s imperative you cultivate and build your associations in order to obtain help and round up talent for your projects.
- Self-Image and Self-Esteem. How you feel about yourself comes across to others. It can’t be faked. You increase your self-esteem by doing the right thing—always. You improve your confidence by doing what you say you’ll do—whether you say it to yourself or to others. Every time we lie, we chip away at our self-image.
There is no status quo. We either build or tear down our self-esteem. Integrity is the essence of everything successful.
- Finances and Credit. Most opportunities involve an investment of money as well as time and energy. Having money in the bank and good credit on which to borrow can go a long way toward tipping the scales in your favor. In the world of business, “cash is king.” Pay off those debts and create some savings (if you haven’t already) and GET READY.
- Attitude. People with good attitudes not only get more done, they attract opportunity and people who can help them.
Are you someone people like to be around? Would you consider your attitude to be one of your strongest assets? Regardless of your answer, you can improve your attitude and along with it, your success.
Read good books. Listen to good tapes. Stay around positive people. Study people you think have good attitudes and emulate that part of them.
This list is not meant to be all-inclusive, but it constitutes what I feel are the most important areas to work on. By positioning yourself for success, you’ll not only increase the odds in your favor, you’ll feel better about yourself and have more fun. What could be better?
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