(By Rick Fink) When I train media representatives, this is one of the strongest sermons I preach: “You MUST be prepared for tomorrow before you leave the office tonight, and you MUST be as prepared as possible for next week before leaving the office on Friday! Those who do are usually successful. Those who don’t rarely do! Preparation is the key to success.

Abraham Lincoln understood the importance of being prepared when he said, “Give me six hours to fell a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the ax.” » Regardless of your profession, being prepared applies equally to everyone. If you are having a medical procedure tomorrow, you want the doctor to review your records and prepare today.

Have you heard (or used) them? “I don’t have a written plan,” “I work best by going with the flow,” or “I have a plan in mind.” No, no and NO!!!! Going with the flow or having a plan in mind is not enough. Every time I heard it, it was a below average media representative. A written, detailed daily plan is the only plan to maximize your day and work toward success.

You can plan your week on Monday morning, or your Tuesday on Tuesday morning, but the mind is a funny thing. If you plan it, write it down, and think about it, your brain will actually help you prepare in advance! Of course there will be cancellations and gaps. When this happens, fill them with prospecting or use this time to plan the rest of your week and sharpen your ax.

Benjamin Franklin said, “By failing to prepare, you are setting yourself up to fail.” »

Make it a habit! Start getting ready to plan your days and weeks… in advance! Never leave the office today, until you are ready for tomorrow! It’s a GOOD plan.

NEVER stop learning – Get better every day!

Rick Fink ENS media can be contacted at 605-310-2062 or at (email protected). Read Rick’s Radio Ink archives here.