The Preparation Spectrum
So where do you fall on the preparation spectrum?
At one end, we have the ultimate planner that has everything in place, tidy, and ready to go in plenty of time for a looming event. As an example, my mother-in-law sits on the extreme planner end of the spectrum. She will start packing for a trip about 3-4 weeks early and cannot live without details of an event at least a week early.
Moving as far away from that end of spectrum, you have someone like my wife and I. Our friends and family place the major winger label on us. We’re the type that will pack our suitcases (and for our 4 children) only three hours before our flight is scheduled to leave for a week trip to Ireland.
Both ends of the spectrum have positives and negatives but I’ve learned over the years that wingers can learn from ultimate planners and vice-versa. Wingers need to understand there are times in which planning and preparation is a necessity for success. Ultimate planners can take notes from wingers to understand that situations cannot always be controlled and that worrying and stress simply does not change this fact.
So are you the ultimate planner or the major winger?
It’s good to know yourself and understand where you fall on the preparation spectrum. Being able to self reflect and understand your own personality allows you to be tolerable of others who might be of a different mold. And sometimes, you might even have to force yourself to the right or to the left on the spectrum to make the best out of a given situation.
Ok….I’m off to prepare for PhD graduation by attending the rehearsal. If I had my choice, I’d just show up on Sunday and “wing it”.
2 comments
Dr. Bradley W. Semp
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Perhaps it is just me, but I see the Major Winger as being the most prepared of all. Winging it takes practice, and CONFIDENCE, and trusting your teachers and mentors to have given you the skills and understanding you need to be at ease no matter what is thrown your way. That doesn’t mean you don’t do your homework, however. Information is power – more today than ever before in history. Going into a fight where the opposition is bearing aircraft carriers and F-22 Raptors and you are carrying the info/knowledge equivalent of a butter knife – isn’t likely to end in your favor.
You come by it naturally…your mom is a major winger. Loved the observations! Make sure you “walk” straight, tall and proud on Sunday. We are so happy for you!