Preparation

Whenever I watch a TED talk I think to myself, man, how could I ever speak in front of people like that? And whenever I thinking about running a very long race (to the tune of 50+ miles), I think to myself, how could I ever pull that off?

Then I think of this quote:

“Spectacular achievement is always preceded by spectacular preparation.”

Robert H. Schuller

And that’s fantastic, because it means that spectacular achievement is more connected to effort than it is circumstance. Especially today, when you can find all the resources you need to get started online, for anything you want to do, whether you’re preparing to write a book, milk a cow, build a robot, serve a mission, become a beekeeper, install a toilet, start a business, wear a bow tie, take the GMAT, roast a turkey, beat the original Mario Bros, invest in mutual funds, operate a tractor…

…you get the picture.

Prepare yourself. Then go out and conquer the world.