Have you ever been that guy who googles the definition of the word qualified? Well hey, I’m that guy and this is what it says.
Qualified: officially recognized as being trained to perform a particular job; certified.
Michael Jordan had natural athletic ability, but he had to become qualified to truly amplify his gift.
Tiger Woods woke up at 4 am to become qualified at playing golf.
That qualification or some would say, "preparation", was the framework for their greatness.
Even Jesus went through thirty years of preparation before he began his ministry on Earth. He was the Son of God, yet even He had to go through a preparation process.
What about you? What are you naturally good at but lack the qualifications?
Allow me to share with you some of my own failures. These failures helped steer me toward the qualifications I needed.
I've never enjoyed school or learning. It wasn't my thing. What I did understand was how to work hard, and emotional intelligence. Those were a couple of gifts that came naturally.
There finally came a point in life where I became aware of my own limitations. I was living life in my comfort zone and it was killing me.
I remember when I was about to purchase a psychology course. I didn't want to spend the money on myself. I wanted to figure out how I could get it for free.
I've done this in so many areas, but at this moment, I could see how this type of thinking was really holding me back.
I wanted to learn about psychology. I needed to break the fear of loss, and I needed to break the mindset that seeking help was not weakness, but strength.
This was a game-changer for me.
Not only did I purchase that course, but went on to purchase thousands of dollars of more courses. I unlocked my desire to learn and it clarified my assignment on Earth.
My heart felt like it was beating out of my chest. It was warm with love for others and for myself. I was so proud to have done the work. I was patient in the process.
The time of doing the work and preparation paid off 100x.
Is there anything that comes to mind for you?
What preparation work do you need to complete?
Our family loves to watch cooking shows. We love watching how they create amazing dishes. We love the way the chefs compete. We love food. We love it all.
One thing I continually notice not only during these cooking competitions but in real-life kitchens is this word called prep.
Before these masterful dishes are created, they first must be prepped. Prepping is when you collect all of the ingredients and have them ready to be used in creating a dish.
The prep is the hard work. It's the stuff no one really wants to do. It’s a qualification-type skill. It’s also the work that produces praiseworthy, and quality dishes.
The same thing rings true for you and me.
What we prep and how we prep determines the quality of what we produce.
If you want a Michelin-worthy dish, you are going to need to source and prep Michelin-worthy ingredients.
So, let me ask the question again, "what do you need to prep in your life to produce the dish you want to serve?"
Wow, I'm starting to get hungry already.
Before we wrap up, I want to highlight some areas of life you may be in right now. You are in some sort of season, and you have to remember, they don’t last forever.
Your baby is not 6 weeks old forever.
Your car is not brand new forever.
Missing out on a job does not last forever.
While there are four distinct seasons of life: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter, it's important to become aware of the one you are currently living.
Spring is a time in life when you are ramping up for something big. You are clear on what you want to do, but you may lack the qualifications or expertise. This is the season when you begin to get everything in order so you can launch effectively.
Summer happens after you launch and have found your zone. You are in the flow of life with your assignment and living with passion. Summer is the sweet spot.
However, even summer has to end.
It's important to understand what to do during this season to continue the momentum. This is where many make it and many miss it.
Welcome to the Fall season.
The Fall season comes to us all. Unfortunately, this is where most people live and stay for far too long.
It's a season where you lose that drive. You feel stuck. You no longer have that summer motivation and don't know what to do next?
I've been in this season many times. The fall season sucks, but it's also a great time of reflection.
I was in this season, feeling frustrated, lacking motivation, clarity, and no idea what to do next in my life.
I was also in this season because I failed to use the summer momentum to continue to learn and grow.
Instead of investing in the future, I enjoyed the comfort of the moment.
Your choices open doors in your life. Some doors you open are good, and some are poor. Therefore, your choices determine the longevity of each season.
You must remember, Fall does not last forever. Winter will someday arrive.
Winter is all about inner reflection and growth. It's hibernation and isolation of focus toward who you want to become.
Think of it like a butterfly in a cocoon.
It's when you are maximizing every moment to prepare and qualify yourself for your assignment. This is when you add qualifications, go to that conference, or hire a coach.
This is when your qualifications lead you into your assignment. Your runway becomes clear, and Spring is around the corner.
Spring is full of joy, excitement, and vision. Your assignment is unlocked and life overflows with purpose.
Your gifts and talents are great. They are from God, but you must invest in the preparation. The prep work will prepare you for God’s work.
This is a major sign of your assignment. In order for you to find your assignment, you will have to prepare.
Let me know which season you feel like you are in?
Rooting for you.
❤️ Coach Anthony Thompson