Prepare Today for a Better Tomorrow
The state of our being today is a direct result of our yesterday, and the many days prior to that. As such, the state of our tomorrow is a direct result of our today. Plain and simple – yet, maybe not so simple?
Think about this:
Every single decision you’ve made, things you’ve done (and things you’ve chosen to avoid) – all play into where you stand right here in this moment.
Don’t just assess that statement at face value – let it really sink in.
That’s an extraordinary number of variables that go into the creation of your life as you know it. And what about all of the live’s that could’ve occurred, had you chosen to take that job that you eventually decided against? Or you picked to attend a different college? Or if you’d never met your spouse?
The moral of the story being that there is so much unknown in our daily lives – far more out of our control than within it. Herein lies the importance of controlling what we can, and priming the environment around us to ensure whatever level of success we have tangible control over.
Think Ahead, Plan Ahead
At the root of all that I’m aiming to share here is that (while so many things are out of our hands) you’d be surprised at what a difference can be made by being intentional in everything that you do.
One of my favorite authors and social media personalities, Ryan Holiday, has this to say with regards to this very topic:
“You’ll need to set the table today, to have the one that you’ll want tomorrow.”
Now, this can (and rightfully should) be interpreted in a number of ways. That being said, I believe it to insinuate that your tomorrow depends – at the very least, in part – on your today. Sound familiar?
I allow this to manifest by way of physically preparing. Micro examples of such behavior include writing in a planner and journal, laying out my clothes, etc. Macro examples would be exercising regularly to keep my overall health in check, reading daily to continuously improve and sharpen my mind, and so on. All of which stands to be extremely rudimentary and absolutely attainable for anyone who cares to make a change.
As I’ve written about in the past, this is what James Clear, the author of New York Times Best selling book, Atomic Habits, refers to as “reducing fiction.”
To reduce friction in your life is to remove unnecessary “blockades” keeping you from optimal success, whilst simultaneously acting in your own best interest – doing things (intentionally) to better yourself, not the opposite.
The question here is this: what are you doing to better yourself? And “are there things in your life that would provide benefit if removed entirely?
Don’t Blame Anyone, But Yourself
It’s a hard truth – one that most of us struggle with – that all of our shortcomings, in one way or another, are due to our own actions.
As you read this, I want you to think back on a moment of failure, of despair – a moment of complete confusion. What could you have done, in hindsight, to better prepare for that moment?
Of course, we can’t change these moments now. They’ve come and gone. All that we can do is extract positive fuel from such scenarios to apply in our current lives. Dwelling on past errors, or even current obstacles outside of our circle of control, is a waste of time and energy. As the great Marcus Aurelius once coined: “If it’s out of your hands, it should be out of your mind as well.”
What we have control over, in this moment, is our preparation, or lack thereof, for tomorrow, for the next day, for next month, next year, and for the remainder of our life on earth. Mental and physical preparation alike.
You can’t control the weather, but you sure can buy an umbrella. You can’t control the childhood you were provided, but you can ensure your children don’t experience what you had to. You have no control over the body you were born into, but you’d better believe that you can shape it into something excellent. – On the flip side, of course, you can forgo purchasing an umbrella and complain about the inconvenience a rain shower brings when you are soaking wet. You can carry over your childhood traumas into the lives of your children. You can treat your body like a trashcan and offer it no respect, meanwhile playing “whoa is me” when you feel less-than-superb.
Which choice will you make?
Will you set your own table in a way that you’ll want it tomorrow?
It’s up to you – but, you know what to do. Do it.
Forged in Fire 
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