French microbiologist Louis Pasteur once said that, “Chance favors the prepared mind.”

It goes to reason then that without preparation, the odds aren’t in our favor.

This lesson was apparent as I took a small vacay to San Diego. The last few times I traveled I’d over packed, so this time I removed items from my travel bag, congratulating myself for being such a light traveler.

As the first evening in San Diego rolled around, we stopped near a set of cliffs that overlooked the ocean, and I realized I was in trouble. The wind was surging up the rocks and I was uncomfortably chilled to my bones. I didn’t want to wait in the car, like a wimp, especially since my friend was visiting from Alaska where everything is FOR REAL cold.

Perhaps the only downside of growing up on a tropical island, is my body’s intolerance for temperatures below 70-ish degrees. Adding cold wind to chilled temperatures feels like nature is plotting to destroy my sanity before it kills me.

I pulled on my long sleeve shirt, my running jacket, my sweater, a scarf, and even the pair of mitten’s and beanie that have a permanent home in my purse. Nothing worked. I was already cold, and my body signaled me that it was too late.

Later, after I warmed up, I reflected on how being cold kept me from genuine connection with friends, and from an interest and curiosity about anything. I wanted only to be warm.

Why didn’t I bring one of the many coats I own at home? Why did I bring only a thin jacket and a sweater with large holes in it? Why didn’t I come prepared?

I flash back to girl scouts, remembering how I wanted to be in boy scouts instead, because they learned cool stuff like how to build fires and tie knots. I’d scour through my brother’s books practicing knots with shoelaces from a kitchen drawer. I also memorized his troops motto, which I still remember.

The first two words of it were, “READY TO . . .” and then they listed all the things they were ready to do.

If we are ready to do things, it means that we are PREPARED.

Being prepared translates to every walk of life, especially to our goals and dreams. Sometimes we must prepare for years before we get the big break we’ve dreamt of. If an opportunity comes around and we don’t have the skills we need, then it might pass us by.

Often people don’t see the hours, months, years of work that’s been done behind the scenes. All they see is you in this moment. It’s in this moment, when the work you did or didn’t do while no one was watching, will make the difference right now. You will have success or be left with a sad realization.

It’s similar to packing for a trip. You wouldn’t say, “Rad. I’m going to Costa Rica,” buy a ticket and get on the plane. You gotta to do some research, put in vacation time at work, ask Sally if she will feed and walk Fido, make sure you have proper paperwork, get the needed shots, etc. Then you gotta pack. The smallest things can make a big difference, like being up in the-middle-of-nowhere-mountains, and realizing you don’t have a toothbrush, or that you forgot your underwear or your tiny, neon pink malaria pills.

Small things make a big difference. And that’s why we prepare. That’s why we plan a trip and take the time to pack. That’s why we do things everyday towards our goals and dreams.

It’s important to consistently prepare, especially when no one is watching. One day our magical opportunity will come around, and it will show if we’ve been using our time wisely.

P.S. I’ve already debriefed myself on the necessary items for each subsequent travel. A warm coat is now required, because I’d rather be prepared and enjoy the awesome experiences, than be miserable and freezing.

Creativity Challenge:

What area of your life, goals, or dreams do you claim is important, but haven’t given time to lately?

What could you do daily to move this area, goal, or dream forward? (Even if it’s only ten focused minutes a day.)

As Zig Ziglar said, “Radical changes are made in minute steps.”

Daily preparation makes us well prepared. Be prepared to shine! (Tweet this)

You are awesome and capable of great things. Prepare well.

 With Love,

Z :)