Preparedness: Show Up Ready, or Be Ready to Fall Short
This is Part 3 of a 6-Part Series: The 5 P’s of Peak Performance.
If you missed earlier posts, check out:
👉 Part 2: Presence
👉 Part 3: Positivity
Janice is sharp. She’s committed, capable, and always willing to say “yes” when the team needs something.
But she’s also overwhelmed.
In a virtual meeting, Janice spent the first 10 minutes trying to log in, connect her audio and video, and remember what the meeting was even about. She had just hopped off another Zoom call, and her mind was still spinning from that conversation. She hadn’t had a moment to pause, transition, or get oriented.
When someone asked her a question mid-meeting, she blanked. She hadn’t had time to review the agenda or look at the data beforehand. The meeting ended up being vague and inconclusive—and a follow-up had to be scheduled just to fix what didn’t get done.
None of this happened because Janice didn’t care.
It happened because she wasn’t prepared for the moment.
And as a result, that one unprepared moment led to more wasted time, more confusion, and more burnout.
And let’s face it, we’ve all been there.
Preparedness Doesn’t Happen by Accident
If you’ve followed along, you know that before you can prepare, the first 3 Ps need to happen:
You need a Purpose – Why does this matter?
You need Presence – Are you mentally and physically here?
You need Positivity – Do you believe something good can come from this?
Preparedness begins where those three intersect.
In fact, preparation is an expression of them:
When you care enough to define purpose, you prepare accordingly.
When you're present, you can think clearly about what’s needed.
When you're positive, you believe your preparation will pay off.
What Is Preparedness, Really?
Preparedness is more than planning. It’s equipping, both physically and mentally, for the moment in front of you.
Physically Prepared:
Having the resources, tools, space, and materials you need to make positive progress toward an intended outcome.Mentally Prepared:
Having the focus, energy, clarity, and confidence to engage with that moment fully.
Mental preparedness is deeply rooted in presence and positivity…but it also involves forethought, mindset, and intention.
Whether it’s a Zoom meeting, a workout, a dinner with friends, or your next presentation, being prepared on both levels changes the experience entirely.
Why Preparedness Matters
Preparedness isn’t about over-planning. It’s about setting yourself up for success. Here’s what it unlocks:
It clarifies your goal.
By thinking through your desired outcome, you’re better able to prepare toward something—rather than just going through the motions.It maximizes your time.
When you come ready, every minute is more productive. You get more done in less time.It helps you anticipate challenges.
Preparation gives you a bird’s-eye view—so you’re not blindsided by avoidable obstacles.It enhances collaboration.
When you’re prepared, your team trusts you. You’re more responsive, thoughtful, and confident in your contribution.
How to Practice Preparedness
Use these strategies to build the habit of showing up ready:
Define success for every major calendar item.
Whether it’s a board meeting, coaching session, or date night, ask:
“What does success look like here?”Budget time for preparation—not just execution.
If a presentation takes 1 hour to give, block off time beforehand to build the slides, rehearse, and gather resources.Time block your schedule.
Set intentional windows for deep work, prep, and margin. Don’t expect productivity to happen between back-to-back calls.Be realistic and prioritize what matters most.
You can’t prepare well for everything. Identify the top priorities that need your best energy and give them the attention they deserve—even if that means asking for help or adjusting your schedule.
The 5 P’s Work Together
Preparedness doesn’t exist in a vacuum.
It’s the result of Purpose, Presence, and Positivity all working in harmony.
Purpose gives you the why.
Presence gives you the focus.
Positivity gives you the belief.
Preparedness turns all of that into readiness.
Which leads us to the final P in the series: Productivity—where clarity meets execution.
Ready to Perform at a Higher Level?
If you’re tired of feeling like you’re always behind—mentally foggy, underprepared, or unclear about how to stay ahead—coaching can help.
If you’ve struggled for years to create the mindset and systems needed to be prepared, focused, and in control, apply for one-on-one coaching:
https://www.nextbetter.me/coachingIf you’re generally organized but want a structured, ongoing way to prep for the week ahead, start with the Next Better Journal:
https://a.co/d/ir72Uss
Whichever path you choose, remember:
You don’t need more hustle.
You need to be prepared.
