In a recent conversation, a friend asked me a simple question: “Are you ready for your upcoming trail marathon?” Without much hesitation, I said, “Yes, I feel really prepared.” He looked at me, maybe a little surprised by my confidence, and asked, “Isn’t there any point where it just gets incredibly hard?” I thought about it and replied, “Well, the first 10 to 20 minutes can be a grind, but after that, it’s a process. I know there will be challenges, but I feel ready for them.”
So what makes the difference between struggling through those challenges and actually getting through them? For me, it’s a little phrase that’s been around for ages: Prior Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. The “Five Ps” isn’t something I came up with (though I’d love to take credit!), but it’s a framework I rely on for almost every challenge. And I’ve found that it consistently works, both in my personal life and in my career.
Why Preparation Isn’t About Being “Natural” – Years ago, when I was leading countless Lean Six Sigma training workshops, a colleague paid me what he thought was the ultimate compliment: “You’re a natural at this,” he said. “You make it look so easy; you know how to read the room, deliver the content, and guide the audience just right.” I appreciated the kind words, but I couldn’t help but laugh to myself. Natural? Hardly. What he didn’t see were the countless hours spent practicing in front of a mirror, running through my material over and over, and experimenting with new delivery approaches until they stuck.
Making something look easy requires preparation that runs deep. I don’t just throw myself into situations and hope for the best. I plan, rehearse, and refine. When you walk in feeling prepared, there’s a calm confidence that carries you through. You can handle those unexpected curveballs without getting rattled.
The Power of Process – The beauty of the Five Ps is that they give you a steady foundation for any situation. When you’ve taken the time to prepare, you don’t have to rely on “luck.” In the marathon, I know I’m bound to hit some rough patches—the terrain will be tough, fatigue will set in, and mental challenges will come up. But because I’ve trained, studied the course, and mentally prepared for those moments, I don’t panic. I can rely on the process I know and trust.
This same approach works in professional life, too. In a big presentation or a project, things rarely go exactly as planned, and if you aren’t prepared, you’re at the mercy of those glitches. But if you’re well-prepared, you can adjust without missing a beat. Preparation is the invisible work that lets you adapt and keep moving forward.
Making Preparation a Habit – Preparation isn’t something you can cram in at the last minute and expect it to hold up under pressure. It’s a habit, one that takes time to build. And sometimes it’s the small, consistent efforts that make the biggest difference. Here’s what’s helped me:
- Start Early: Giving yourself ample time isn’t about being overly cautious; it’s about respecting the process. I start marathon training months in advance to build strength gradually, stay injury-free, and actually enjoy the journey. It’s the same with a big work project—I break it down into parts and spread out the preparation.
- Rehearse Realistically: For races, I practice on trails similar to race conditions. For presentations, I rehearse out loud, even in front of a mirror, and capture video of my dry runs. Sure, it feels awkward at first, but it works. Preparing under similar conditions makes the real event feel familiar.
- Seek Constructive Feedback: Positive feedback feels good, but it’s constructive feedback that makes you better. I’ve made it a point to ask for honest input. Compliments are nice, but they don’t make you grow. Tough feedback, the kind that tells you where you can improve, is where the real progress happens.
- Visualize Success—and Obstacles: This one might sound a bit like motivational self-talk, but it’s surprisingly effective. Before a big challenge, I take a few moments to mentally run through what success looks like and how I’ll respond if things go sideways. Picturing myself pushing through the “wall” in a marathon or answering a tough question in a presentation makes those moments easier when they actually come.
- Reflect and Refine: After a big effort, I take some time to look back and think about what went well and what didn’t. It’s easy to skip this step, but it’s the secret to making each challenge a stepping stone to the next one.
It’s Not About Perfection—It’s About Readiness – The goal isn’t to prepare so everything is flawless; life has too many surprises for that. Preparation, to me, is about putting myself in a place where I can handle those surprises. If I know I’ve done the work, I can step up to the starting line—or the podium—knowing I’m ready for whatever comes. It’s about building a foundation of readiness that you carry into each new challenge.
So, the next time you’re facing a big project, a race, or even a personal goal, think about the Five Ps. They’re not a magic formula, but they’re a powerful tool that can help you build resilience and confidence. And when someone asks, “Are you prepared?” you can answer with a calm, collected, and confident, “Yes, I am.”
In case you’re wondering, I successfully finished the trail marathon mentioned above. I was prepared, enjoyed the entire journey, and am already looking forward to the next big challenge.
See you next week,
Brent, your Rivr Guide
