Preparation is essential, not optional

 

Randy and I have a long week ahead. I spent the last week thinking ahead and taking care of little details a bit at a time. One day I organized all the supplements I would need into little packets to save me time every morning. Another day I lined up the coffee and filters. Another day I ironed our shirts and jeans and hung them up in order for the week of training. I cleaned the house and took care of a lot of chores that I knew would make me feel better when today finally arrived.

Even though the Sheriff's department would cover a nice room for us in South Lake Tahoe, we are doing the long commute because we have the kittens to care for. It's our responsibility. 

There are actually 4 more kittens ready to come to our little kitten ranch but I told the vet we will have to pick them up on Saturday. I'm afraid there won't be enough time here to make sure they are okay. We will have to leave early in the morning, and we'll arrive at night in time to feed all of them, and the kitten by hand, and sleep and repeat all week.

That's why preparation is ESSENTIAL, not optional. I didn't feel stressed out preparing just a little every day last week. 

Preparation takes a lot and it's not just the little tasks at hand. It's everything that makes you successful in life.

We do not typically look forward to doing it. It can seem boring and uninteresting. However, it can prove to be one of the most valuable skills that you can master. It helps avoid the build-up of stress and anxiety.

Preparation is a skill that you learn, with discipline and experience, it improves over time. Just because you are not good at some of it now, doesn't mean you can never be good at it. You just have to DO IT! Get going!

The advantage of preparation is that you can manage problems more quickly and efficiently. Oh yes, problems will still arrive, but you are better prepared to meet those challenges.

Do you understand what you are preparing for? Do you know WHY you are doing it? You need to know or your preparation might be a waste of time.

Pace yourself. You might need to do something a few times to perfect it. This is what preparing is all about; fully understand the problem and apply the necessary solution. For example, you didn't follow a meal plan because you didn't have one! Or, You didn't make good choices because you did not anticipate that good choices would not be available. How will you fix these problems over time?

• Preparation is essential, not optional
• Being prepared saves money and time
• Failing to anticipate your needs and your goals puts you at a disadvantage

For many people, they have a problem with making sure that healthy choices are available. Meal preparation allows for you to have your favorite foods with pre-determined portion sizes. Having a collection of meals helps you stay on track with your personal goals. If you have special needs with food and supplements, make a way for that to happen!

The health benefits alone are huge, but so is saving your financial resources. Having food prepped at home saves you from eating out and gives you complete control over ingredients.

Plan ahead. Consider your budget and favorite foods, and most importantly YOUR GOALS.

• Cook in large batches to save time and energy
• Freeze any food you won't eat within 5 days
• Keep plenty of single meals-sized and/or serving sized containers for storage

Whether it's planning for the week or the day, preparation eases your stress and helps you stay on track. Enjoy each meal, know that you can have more next time, and continue to advance your culinary skills! 

For many of us cooking and meal prep doesn't come natural. I still have a memory of when I was young and I prepared a pasta dish that was HORRIBLE and brought it to an event. When I walked into the kitchen I heard two ladies staring into the huge pot of goop I had brought chuckling and asking "What are we going to do with this!??" It was so embarrassing. That was nearly 50 years ago, but the memory is so vivid in my mind. Look how far I have come in all that time. I pretty much know when I bring something to an event it's going to be amazing, or I wouldn't bring it! It took time, practice, and learning from my mistakes. The same thing with learning to have more good days with successful diet goals plans than not.

It's not about perfection, it's about stepping forward and doing it!

Tell me what you did to prep for this week that was cool? The tasks may be uninteresting and tedious, but the actual getting it done and being successful is VERY COOL!!!!