LUCK – when Preparation meets Opportunity

We don’t plan to have good luck or bad luck – but preparation is often the key factor to which type of “luck” we receive!

If a ‘lucky break’ befalls upon an unprepared person they will not be able to fully embrace the opportunity – which can turn good luck into bad luck in a heartbeat.

You can’t win the Lottery without being prepared with a ticket in hand.

You can’t depend on luck to send you that big client, that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  It is a culmination of advance preparation and actions.

You can’t win a Gold Medal without hours and hours of preparation and hard work.

Dreaming, goal-setting and planning is the first step.  Preparation is the biggest step.  You can plan all you want – but if you are not prepared…you won’t be ready when opportunity knocks.  Preparation gets you ready to actually do the work.

A plan might include the steps, the milemarkers, as we move towards our goals.  Planning assumes all will go ‘as planned’ – that happens a lot less often they you might think!

But preparation gets into the details, into what we actually need to make it happen.  It gets us, others and “things” ready to go.

Preparation is essential and greatly increases the likelihood that the plan will turn out just the way – well – that you planned.

I am true believer that we MAKE our own LUCK through being prepared, paying attention, hence being ready and able to open the door when opportunity knocks. 

How do we get and stay prepared?  Glad you asked!

There are several things you need to have prepared, continue to improve and invest time, money and effort into…

YOU – your perspective and mindset

This could be it’s own BLOG!  There are so many things you need to prepare about YOU to set yourself up for success and “LUCK”.  Starting with a positive attitude.  But it doesn’t stop there.  You need to be a perpetual, daily learner. 

We need to be prepared to succeed by being motivated by something other than money, by being prepared to take responsibility for our actions (or non-actions),  and by knowing ourselves (the good, the bad and the ugly).

Prepared to make sales and grow the business requires complete and total belief in self and your product or service (total knowledge), being able to accept rejection, and being prepared to ask for the sale.

Bottom line: if your belief in you and what is possible for your business is out of alignment in proportion to your skills and knowledge…nothing much will happen.

Prepare your process, procedures and systems

We need to have all our processes and systems prepared which requires an in depth understanding of our customer inside and out, backwards and forwards, true needs and wants (underlying factors), and be prepared to overcome objections.

Being prepared for unexpected change in our industry or community.  Being prepared to over deliver what you promised ON TIME and a process to maintain and grow long-lasting relationships.

Our network needs to be prepared with what they need to know in order to refer you. 

They can’t help you if you don’t tell them what you need. We need to prepare them for how to collaborate with us, refer us, provide resources, and share ideas. It is all about collaboration over competition.

We need to prepare our family by setting realistic expectations regarding our time and the life of a business owner or entrepreneur. 

This is especially true if you are working from home.  But the ups and downs, the late nights and early mornings, the interrupted vacations are all a reality of this life we have chosen.

You need to prepare your work environment for optimal efficiency and less distractions. 

Get organized and streamlined.  The ability to turn a profit is directly tied to our environment.  The space we create for ourselves reflects the potential we have. 

Having some luxuries, a comfortable dedicated space with elements of beauty or serenity provides a mood-enhancing environment that produces confidence and a sense of success rather than ‘barely making it’ or a side-hustle.

Preparation of your calendar/time/schedule so that you have the time to pursue opportunities as they arise. 

OPPORTUNITES rarely present themselves at the most convenient time.  So when they do we have to be willing and able to seize them.

“Preparation does more than prepare you for what to expect; it puts you in position to handle what you didn’t see coming.” – unknown

This includes having a very well prepared schedule and sticking to it – so you can actually save time in the long run.  You will spend less energy and time being stressed, frustrated, and overwhelmed, because a well thought out schedule reduces errors, prevents re-work, detours and re-dos.  It can help you stay focused and results in more confidence and self-assurance that you can accept a new opportunity when it arises.

Perpetual procrastinators and the always-busy-person prevent themselves from having the time to accept new opportunities.

We can’t plan for things out of our control, but we can anticipate, contemplate and prepare for them.

There is no substitution for being prepared when setbacks/chaos/obstacles happen – and they will!  Don’t “what-if” yourself to death or paralysis but be prepared with a system of defense when things go awry.

Prepare your assets.

Questions regarding money can make any situation more difficult.  Know your finances, understand where you can pull from, commit to a budget and a solid comprehensive future-based outcome.

Then invest in your business.  We always have the money to do the things we want to do, and you would not have started down this path if you didn’t want to see it succeed.  Sometimes the pain of a monthly payment to an association or a coach feels awful – but compared to what?  Compared to the pain of not getting what you need to move forward?  Compared to unmet dreams or delayed realities?

Good business debt can prepare you to receive what you need so when opportunity knocks you have the strategies, support, and guidance to confidently open the door and welcome it in.

I know this feels like a lot of preparing!  Many of these are ongoing, not one-n-done things.  They will evolve over time.  But do not neglect them.  Keep them at the forefront of your mind.

Make yourself prepared for anything!