Success Is A Choice Ch 6

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Questions and Answers

What crucial quality did Meriwether Lewis exhibit during tense situations with Native Americans?

Rashness

Self-discipline (correct)

Aggressiveness

Indifference

How much preparation time did the author invest to create a leadership lesson that lasted less than an hour?

Eight to ten hours (correct)

Four to five hours

One hour

Twelve to fifteen hours

What principle did Alexander Hamilton highlight regarding success and productivity?

Success is all about networking

Natural talent is the most important quality

Genius comes from extensive study and hard work (correct)

Preparation is overrated and should be minimized

What did Henry Ford believe was essential for success in any endeavor?

Getting ready before taking action Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, how is preparation characterized?

A continuous process Signup and view all the answers

What is a major reason why people fail to prepare according to the authors mentioned?

They do not see the value of preparation before action. Signup and view all the answers

What does successful preparation allow talent to do?

Position talent to be effective. Signup and view all the answers

According to General Douglas MacArthur, what is the relationship between preparation and success?

Preparation is key to success and victory. Signup and view all the answers

What does the proverb mentioned imply about talent?

Talent can open doors but needs preparation to sustain it. Signup and view all the answers

What example illustrates a successful outcome due to thorough preparation?

Meriwether Lewis's expedition with minimal losses. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main idea behind the saying 'preparation precedes opportunity'?

Being prepared allows you to seize opportunities. Signup and view all the answers

According to Rudy Giuliani, what is crucial for leaders in times of crisis?

Utilizing previous preparation and skills. Signup and view all the answers

What is implied about overpreparing in decision-making?

It can cause delays that make decisions irrelevant. Signup and view all the answers

What quality must the 'sixth man' in basketball possess according to Tom Heinsohn?

Stability to impact the game instantly. Signup and view all the answers

What did Abraham Lincoln mean by saying, 'If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend six sharpening my ax'?

Investing time in preparation increases efficiency. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Value of Preparation

Preparation puts you in the right position for success, often the difference between winning and losing.
Successful people prioritize preparation, recognizing that it is the foundation for spectacular achievement, not talent. Talent needs preparation to be effective.
Lack of preparation is a primary cause of business failure, impacting both skills and financing.

Why People Fail to Prepare

Many fail to see the value of preparation before action.
Talent can be a short-term advantage, but success requires earned preparation. (Proverbs 18:16: "A man's gift makes room for him.")
Preparation is essential for maximizing talent's potential (as demonstrated by General Douglas MacArthur and Meriwether Lewis). While preparation cannot control all outcomes, it can minimize risks and improve outcomes. Lewis's discipline helped his expedition avoid conflict/disaster.
Lack of discipline hinders preparation.

Preparation Principles

Preparation allows tapping into talent: Using preparation to maximize time and effort. Examples include the author's work trip and how he prepared. Preparation questions include: What? How? When? Where? How fast? What do I need?
Preparation is a process, not an event: Maximizing talent is ongoing. Preparation needs consistent effort, reading, and learning. Using pre-existing knowledge to improve current performance is crucial. (Example: author's leadership lessons and continuous learning).
Preparation precedes opportunity: Being ready for opportunities is key to taking advantage of them. Preparation before opportunity leads to better outcomes. (Examples include the quotes from Lincoln, Disraeli, Winfrey, and Kennedy.)
Preparation for tomorrow begins with the right use of today: Today's actions decide tomorrow's outcomes. Rudy Giuliani's advice on being ready for anything in leadership.
Preparation requires maintaining a good perspective: Perspective is crucial to good preparation. It involves evaluating situations to anticipate problems. (Example: using the golf player perspective from the beginning to guide preparation).
Good preparation leads to action: Over-preparation can hinder action. Quick decision-making is often more effective (though not a blanket rule).

Preparation Lessons from Golf

Assessment: Crucial for understanding the target, distance, conditions, and needed resources for both golf and general situations.
Alignment: Seeking guidance from those more knowledgeable than you can improve preparation, especially in complex situations (e.g. adjusting your swing).
Attitude: Mentally visualizing success is important for preparation and achieving goals, both in golf and in all other endeavors.

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Description

This quiz explores the crucial role of preparation in achieving success. It emphasizes how proper preparation provides a foundation for talent and helps minimize risks in various endeavors. Learn about historical examples and principles that underscore the value of being prepared.