The Pied Piper of Preparation

Greetings all.

Today my inspiration for writing stems from an article I read about Boston Celtics star, Ray Allen. [Note: the picture is of Ray Allen & Kobe. Did you really think I'd put a picture of a Celtics player by himself on my blog...please.] The article talked about how Allen is borderline OCD in his daily routine. In the article they referred to him as the Pied Piper of Preparation. It's definitely a good read, and it inspired me to write on the subject of preparation.

Due to the fact that I was a journalism major and I love reading/writing...I am a slave to the dictionary. As a child my Dad used to always refer me to the dictionary anytime I read a word I'd never seen or couldn't pronounce. He told me to look it up, and right down the word and the definition. It's funny because I still do that to this day. It's amazing how much reading and looking up words can improve your spelling and writing ability. So in the spirit of my age old ritual, I'd like to call on Webster to define pied piper (no, not R.Kelly) and preparation.

Preparation: noun. The act of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose; "preparations for the ceremony had begun."

Pied Piper: noun. A person who influences others to follow or imitate him or her.

********The Pied Piper of Preparation is a leader who influences others to follow their practices of preparation.**************

A guy friend of mine [names are left out to protect the innocent, lol] has personally coined the phrase: preparation meets opportunity. While, I think he uses the line to pick up women, I still find it catchy, and brutally true.

Opportunity rarely finds you. It's a reward that is given when proper preparation is in place. So the question is: What are you doing to prepare for your future? I think all of us 20-somethings are struggling with that entry-level or mid-career question of what's next? Many of us want something but aren't willing to put in the work in order to receive it. I feel like as each new generation surfaces it's jaded with a false sense of "The Real World." Newsflash: It's not a reality show.

Sometimes I wonder if all my preparation is in vain. Am I preparing to be America's Next Top Reporter, when my calling is really to be a nurse? One thing I've learned in the 25 short years I've had a heart beat is that life is about the journey, not the destination. It's important to have goals, because it makes you a disciplined person. In the back of my mind, I hold the following thought: My better, is not His better. It's something I heard at my church home in Charlotte, and I've held it with me ever since. It's inspirational to me in that, I know that when I don't get what I want it's because God did not intend that blessing to be mine. Maybe me "not getting" that [insert blessing] is a blessing too.

God is working to make better...and best in your life. You just have to be patient and prepare.

What you think is better or will be best for you right now, is nothing close to what God has in store for you. I know He has plans for me, because when I'm down to nothing - the Lord is truly UP to SOMETHING! I just want to make sure that when that blessing comes I'm ready. I don't want to get an opportunity and then have to retreat and say, "You know what, that's my dream job, but I'm not ready." Preparation meets opportunity.

I like to think of myself as the Pied Piper of Preparation. I'm a Libra, so it's in my nature to be a compulsive procrastinator, yet when I really want something I will go all out. It's in our nature as humans to mimic behavior that we view as prosperous. For example, look at Robin Roberts, Michael Jordan, Oprah, or Jay-Z. They all possess qualities we try to align ourselves with because of the success it has produced in their lives. So I'd like to share some of my tips on preparing for success. Before you become successful, you've got to build confidence. No one will believe in you, if you don't believe in yourself. It's time to lose self-doubt. I hope this inspires you...

[This is where you take notes....] :)

How to build confidence...

• Find a role model in the field you aspire to excell in.



• Hold your achievements close to you, b/c it will help you build confidence faster.



• Continually work on your skills.



• Be thankful for what you do have



• Give yourself a pat on the back. Having an ego is not illegal. In fact, it's essential.

~Crossy~