How to Control the Only Two Things You Can, and Stop Wasting Energy on What You Can’t

by Scott Silverback

in Preparation, Your Mindset

When you stop trying to control things you can’t, you’ll be able to focus more of your energy and attention on gaining complete control over the only things you can: your behavior and your actions.

How do you accomplish that level of control?

In a word, preparation.

Preparation is Everything

Whether you consider military operations, sports, the arts, business, the sciences, expeditions on earth or in space, engineering marvels, or excellence in the professions and the trades, success usually goes to those who are best prepared.

Why should sales be any different?

In any field of activity, opportunity favors the prepared mind. In some it also favors the prepared body.

Maybe you’ve heard the story about the visitor to New York who approached the legendary pianist Arthur Rubenstein near Carnegie Hall, the world-famous concert venue.

“How do you get to Carnegie Hall,” the visitor asked.

“Practice! Practice! Practice!” Rubenstein replied.

It’s Never a Waste of Time or Effort

Sure, things still go badly despite the best of preparation. That points back to accepting that you can’t control anything outside yourself.

But that doesn’t mean the preparation is ever a waste of time or effort. You’re be much better off than someone who hasn’t prepared as much or as well.

Preparation helps you develop thought processes, skills, habits and emotional controls that will make the next opportunity even more likely to go your way.

Stay fresh.

– Scott Silverback

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