Monday: Preparation

“Seek freedom and become captive of your desires. Seek discipline and find your liberty.” ~Frank Herbert, Dune Chronicles

On this, the first Monday of 2010, I am reminded to go back to basics. I am inspired once again by my preschooler, who before he unrolls his Aqua Doodle mat, he cleans up all the toys form the middle of the floor, asks for the water that he knows he will need for the “pen”, and finds the shapes that he plans to trace and sets them up beside him. He actually prepares his space to play with all the tools necessary to engage before he even sets out the mat. Not bad for 3 ½. While planning is certainly a part of preparation, when I first started this blog, and quoting about preparedness, it was really about setting up a work space, both mentally and physically.

As a coach I encounter so many who just don’t have an appropriate place to work. And, job hunting is working! So it is imperative that you have a distraction-free work zone that encourages positive energy and helps you stay motivated, and has all the tools you can possibly use right at your fingertips. If you don’t have that space at home, may I suggest going to the library?

Wherever you go, wherever the space, make sure it is set up such that you can truly focus (which is my tie in for tomorrow!), that it is well organized, and that you have minimized the possibility of being interrupted. Preparation is the first key to unlocking success.

“Dig the well before you are thirsty.” ~Chinese Proverb