The Power of Preparation
Picture this: You’ve rolled out of bed 30 minutes before you need to be out of the house. You quickly brush your teeth, get dressed, fix your hair, grab something to eat, and now you are on your way out the door. How are you feeling? A bit panicked? Like the day has already gotten away from you?
We all understand the benefits of being prepared, but this month, let’s explore how to think about preparation in a new way. Instead of thinking of preparation as another thing we don’t have time for,
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dive into how preparing ourselves for even the most basic things can actually be a simple act of self-care.
A Closer Look at Preparation
The word preparation simply means “to make before.” In essence, it’s taking time before we do something to set ourselves up for success. Research shows that cultivating a habit of pausing, readying ourselves, and reflecting, allows us to navigate life's challenges with greater ease and resilience. The key is learning to weave these moments of preparation into our daily life.
Pause, Ready, Reflect: A Formula for Success
Cultivating the habit of pausing before diving into tasks helps set a positive tone for the day.
Ready yourself by having a morning routine, whether it's a quick workout or a moment of mindfulness.
Reflect on your goals and priorities regularly to stay focused.
Self Care in small acts: personal life edition
In personal life, that can be as simple as a go-to grocery list that you don’t have to re-create each week, or jotting down your thoughts before an important conversation to reduce anxiety.
Grocery List
Create a go-to grocery list to streamline your shopping experience and save time.
Plan meals for the week ahead to reduce decision fatigue and ensure a balanced diet.
Thought Jotting
Before important conversations, jot down your thoughts to articulate your points more clearly.
Reduce anxiety and improve communication by preparing mentally for challenging discussions.
workplace preparation
In the realm of work, preparation is just as much of a game-changer. It helps us to perform better, boost confidence, and minimize workplace stress.
With packed 9-5 schedules, preparation at work can be as simple as making a list of your first priorities of the day, building breaks into your calendar, or having conversations with leadership or mentors about your career path.
Taking the time to prepare, whether for a work project or just the day ahead, doesn’t have to be complicated or take hours. Look instead for small moments in your day to pause and ask yourself - what do I need? This small act of self-care can lead to reduced stress, improved performance, and a greater sense of control over our lives.
