(And Why It’s One of the Greatest Gifts You Can Give Yourself)
If you know me at all, you know this about me:
I love being prepared.
Not in a rigid way.
Not in a “color-coded binder for every scenario” way.
Just in the very real, very human way that says:
“I function better when I can see the road ahead.”
Ask me my biggest fear?
It’s simple — not being prepared.
(Truly. Not spiders. Not turbulence. Not speaking on stage. Just… showing up unprepared. Ha!)
And yet — here’s the funny thing:
Being prepared isn’t about perfection. It’s about peace.
And that’s where this story begins.
The Moment I Learned Preparation Isn’t a Personality Trait — It’s a Superpower
A few years ago, I was invited to speak at an event.
Wonderful people. Big stage. Lots of energy.
I was honored…
until they said:
“Could you do something a little impromptu?”
My heart rate said absolutely not.
My face said “Sure!”
And every cell in my body whispered:
We are not doing that. 😅
So I did what any lifelong preparer does:
I asked a few questions.
I walked the room.
I asked for the flow.
I created a five-minute outline that felt like “home base.”
Just like that — calm. Grounded. Ready.
Afterward, someone came up and said:
“Wow, you’re such a natural at speaking off the cuff!”
I smiled and laughed inside, because here’s the truth:
There is no such thing as effortless confidence.
There is only prepared confidence.
Preparation turns pressure into purpose.
Preparation turns fear into forward motion.
Preparation makes room for peace.
Why Being Ready Before You Need to Be Matters
Life doesn’t ask,
“Are you ready for this moment?”
It simply hands you the moment.
Opportunities show up suddenly. Challenges show up suddenly. Market shifts show up suddenly. Phone calls that change everything show up suddenly.
If you only prepare after life hits… you’re already behind.
But when you prepare before you need to?
- You make better decisions.
- You move faster with clarity.
- You operate with confidence instead of chaos.
- You protect your time, your peace, and your energy.
Preparation is self-care.
Preparation is leadership.
Preparation is power.
What Preparation Looks Like in Real Life (The Sharla Version)
Preparation isn’t rigidity. It isn’t overthinking. It isn’t obsessing.
It looks like:
- A strong morning routine.
- Setting priorities before distractions win.
- Saying “no” to what pulls you off-purpose.
- Mapping the path instead of winging the journey.
- Creating options instead of reacting to emergencies.
- Having a plan… and a backup plan… and sometimes a backup-backup plan. 😄
Preparation is why my clients trust me.
It’s why my team runs smoothly.
It’s how I’ve built longevity and why I’ve seen success year after year — not from luck, but from aligned intention.
And it’s one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself.
If You’re Tired of Feeling Behind — Try Preparing Ahead
You don’t need a perfect system.
You don’t need a 3-ring binder collection.
You don’t need military-level precision.
Start small:
- Prepare for tomorrow today.
- Prepare for the conversation before it happens.
- Prepare your mindset before the challenge arrives.
- Prepare your finances before the opportunity comes.
- Prepare your goals before the year sweeps you away.
Preparation isn’t pressure —
it’s protection.
And the more you do it, the easier everything becomes.
A Final Word From Someone Who Has Lived It
Preparation has been my quiet superpower for almost 50 years.
Not because everything goes according to plan.
Not because life never surprises me.
Not because I don’t occasionally wing it (very carefully 😄).
But because being ready before you need to be…
- builds confidence,
- reduces stress,
- creates opportunity,
- and transforms the way you move through life.
So here’s your gentle nudge:
Don’t wait for the moment.
Prepare for it.
Show up ready.
And let that readiness open every door.
—S.
