(TSE #011) - A Simple Formula I Use to be Ready for Anything

In?recent newsletters, I’ve been talking about the fact that decision-making is a critical factor in the success we achieve in life and the quality of the life we live.

I also discussed the fact that “success” and “quality” are both relative terms and they can mean different things to each of us.

For example, being ‘successful’ to one person may mean getting a job that pays over $200,000 per year, whilst for another it may mean getting a job that pays $80,000 per year but they only need to?work 3 days per week.

But there is another important skill we must hone if we are to truly become the master of our own lives and proactively shape the outcomes that we desire.

The?skill is preparation.?There is a simple formula you can use to hone your preparation skills to ensure you give yourself the best possible chance to achieve the outcome you are seeking.

It is a formula that I developed over a 3 year period when I helped financial advisers in Australia prepare for a mandatory national exam they all had to pass in order to continue practicing. Many advisers were time-poor and overwhelmed by the depth and breadth of the exam curriculum, and many failed the exam multiple times.

I built an online exam preparation masterclass which helped them to distill what information they needed to focus on from the ‘noise’ around them and removed any confusion from their minds, so they could focus their preparation on the important aspects of the exam.?

I called the formula the?Rule of K.P.M.

This rule is based on?3 simple actions that, when repeated in a structured way, lead to amazing focus and results. The formula is not based on “jedi mind tricks” or subliminal programming. The formula is based on the principles of routine, practice, and focus.

It’s a simple formula you can use to make better decisions and create better outcomes in your life.

The 3 Pillars of Preparation (the Rule of K.P.M.)

There are three pillars of effective preparation. They are independent of one another but interrelated, and form the basis of the Rule of K.P.M.

Pillar 1: Knowledge

Knowledge?– know the core content and be prepared to learn; not as an expert that is forever reading, but deep enough to be to apply the knowledge in practice. Seek insights from others as required but be sure to filter them through your own prism of intellect, experience, and understanding.

Pillar 2: Practice

Practice?– routinely practice the application of the knowledge to reinforce it within your mind and heighten the ability to recall specific parts at will. This includes continually questioning the information, examining it, seeing how it applies to hypothetical scenarios, and examining any ideas that are prompted through this exercise. The idea is not to simply passively accept information, but rather interrogate it so it becomes engrained knowledge.

Pillar 3: Mindset

Mindset?– control, persistence, and focus; know what is within your control and what is not. Research to discover insights and be mentally prepared for any obstacles or hurdles that may unexpectedly arise. Have the confidence and wherewithal to acknowledge, when necessary, that you may need to seek additional information or insights not available at that moment. Acknowledge you are not perfect but you will give it your best effort, based on the knowledge and practice you have undertaken as part of your preparation using the Rule of K.P.M.

Example - The Rule of K.P.M. in practice

I recently?used the Rule of K.P.M. as part of the capital raise process?we are going through at Fourth Line, where I am CEO.

As part of this process, I have been speaking with various people from within our industry to explain the Fourth Line story, our vision, and the purpose behind the capital raise. The outcome I am seeking through my engagement with industry and potential investors?is to elicit?an?emotive connection and professional interest so that they want to know more about Fourth Line and/or invest in the capital raise.

So, we built a pitch deck as part of the process which took some time and input from the Fourth Line team. It was a good pitch deck, but I realised that if I was to achieve the outcome I was seeking then I would have to “sell the Fourth Line story” and create a connection at a visceral level.

And to do that, I had to be prepared. So I used the Rule of K.P.M.

I prepared by ensuring that I knew the Fourth Line story backward (knowledge); I brainstormed and prepared for any type of question on any related topic that might be asked of me during my presentation (practice); and I had to be confident that I had my delivery and structure under control, whilst still allowing for some flexibility, and could handle any situation that arose (mindset).

I honed my preparation using the K.P.M. framework for a few hours over several days.

After each presentation, I reviewed how it went and refined any aspects that I needed to tidy up or included new information or insights I might have learned from the presentation. I then used the Rule of K.P.M. to refine my presentation and prepare for the next meeting.

Beware the Preparation Paradox

It is easy to let preparation turn into procrastination. I call this the?“Preparation Paradox’.

I wrote about the?insidious nature of procrastination in a previous newsletter. If you look at the letters in the word ‘procrastination’ you can spell the word “i-n-a-c-t-i-o-n.” This demonstrates that the basis of procrastination is inaction.

So it goes to reason that the?antidote to procrastination is action.

And that is what the Rule of K.P.M. provides - a framework for structured and repeatable action that produces the outcomes you desire, and leads to a higher quality of life for you (and those around you).

** Today's Challenge for You **

Think about the next presentation, demonstration, meeting, report, or any task you need to complete in the near future where you are seeking a particular outcome.

Apply the Rule of K.P.M.

I’d love to hear how you go - DM me on?LinkedIn?or email me at [email protected]

I hope you found at least “one little nugget” in today’s newsletter.

See you next week.

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