One key success attribute is preparing well. It’s amazing how many of us don’t do it. You’ve probably heard the saying, “You have to have the will to win.” This is nonsense. We all want to win. The famous Indiana basketball coach Bobby Knight had it right when he said, “Everyone has the will to win; it’s the will to prepare to win that’s the key.”
Examples of this principle abound but let me just share one. I’m rereading a terrific biography of James Madison by Lynne Cheney. Long before Madison attended and played such an important role at the Constitutional Convention to modify/replace the Articles of Confederation, he was studying successful forms of government. By the time the convention began, Madison had the most knowledge, expertise and best ideas. Thus, he essentially wrote a large portion of the Constitution. This didn’t happen by accident. Madison prepared thoroughly. And it paid off.
Likewise, Lincoln as a young man said, “I will study and prepare myself and someday my chance will come.” He did and it did. The bottom line: winners prepare and non-winners don’t. Be a winner in this area!