“It is better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one
than to have an opportunity and not be prepared.”
– Whitney Young Jr., American civil rights leader
“I’m looking for work,” she declared. “Can I fill out an application?”
Andrea looked up from the till and was surprised by what she saw: the shock of white hair, the stained T-shirt and rumpled sweats at least a week shy of the washing machine. One could imagine in the middle of cleaning the garage or changing oil in the pickup, this woman had dropped what she was doing and left to apply for work at the local pizza restaurant.
“I’m not looking to hire anyone,” said Andrea, and I knew in truth, she wasn’t.
“But I can still apply, right?” The woman leaned on the counter with her elbows.
“We’re a family business,” Andrea explained. “Our employees are family members.”
“You must have a form,” she said. “Just give me one and I’ll take it with me.”
Reluctantly, Andrea reached under the counter and withdrew an application.
“Great,” said the woman, snatching it from Andrea’s hand.
“I’ll bring this back later.”
I was sipping on a coffee as the scene unfolded. It seemed doubtful to me that this woman was actually looking for work. And even if her declaration was sincere, the odds of her actually being hired by Andrea would likely be nil to nothing. I watched as the woman crudely folded the application, shoved it into the hip pocket of her pants and marched out the door.
Woody Allen said that 80 per cent of success is simply showing up. Though being there does set you apart from those who never bother to show up, it’s no guarantee of success.
A wise man once told the key to success is to show up ready. Whether it’s with the right attire and attitude for a job interview or for life itself, we should always show up prepared.
Are you showing up prepared for life?
One of the main things we can do to be ready for work or life is to spend time building our self-esteem.
It’s a simple fact: when we feel better about ourselves and worthy and deserving of success, we present ourselves in a better light in every situation we encounter.
People with healthy self-esteem have a high degree of self-love.
Not to be confused with arrogance or egotism, self-love is demonstrated by self-respect and the recognition of our uniqueness as human beings.
When we love ourselves, we care for ourselves physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. We try to put our best self forward and have the strength to act in accordance with our values and principles.
It’s nearly impossible to be filled with negativity and regret when we nurture self-love — the foundation of all vibrant and lasting love.
People with good self-esteem often have strong social networks.
Whether you are an introvert or extrovert, if you have healthy self-esteem, you recognize the value of building relationships.
I have a friend (with great self-esteem) who describes herself as an outgoing introvert. She admits that on occasion she’s a little bit intimidated by what life presents her with but she doesn’t let that stop her from stepping out and facing the challenge. Life’s problems are more easily managed and surmounted when we have good people in our lives to love and support us.
There’s no better way to be ready for life than to come from a place of love rather than a place of fear. Fear will hold us back while love will prompt us to constantly try new things and challenge the status quo. People with healthy self-esteem are willing and even eager to step out of their comfort zones.
In fact, most people with a healthy self-image will tell you that they are constantly looking for ways to stretch and grow in experience, knowledge and wisdom.
With a commitment to self-improvement and a willingness to experience all that life has to offer, you can be ready for both employment and life. To apply an old sports metaphor, the more willing we are the step up to the plate and start swinging, the happier, wiser and more insightful we’ll become.
Throw yourself into life as it happens, live each moment to the fullest without fear, and you’ll find it easier to succeed and maintain an internal sense of peace.
To summarize: the best preparation for life is to cultivate a genuine love for yourself along with a healthy sense of self-worth, nurture relationships with those that can support and encourage you, and live life to its fullest each and every day without fear of loss or failure.
I once read that the will to win is worthless unless we also have the will to prepare. If you had to apply and be interviewed for the privilege of enjoying a happy and successful life, how would you show up, what would you say and how would you sell your employer on the fact that you’re worthy, capable and the right person for the job?
When I finished my coffee, I walked up to the till to pay my bill.
“You want an application too?” asked Andrea with a smile.
“I thought you only hired family.”
“You eat here often enough,” she said. “You’re like family.”
We both burst out laughing.
Empowered people live life to the fullest and find the motivation to seek solutions, act proactively and defend their interests. They also prepare. If you want to succeed at life or anything else for that matter don’t just show up – show up ready.
“Never tell me the sky’s the limit when (I know) there are footprints on the moon.”
– Author Unknown
More about Murray M. Fuhrer, The Self-Esteem Guy, at www.theselfesteemguy.com.