What Matters is An Opportunity To Prepare

Preparation is a fundamental element that greatly enhances our chances of success. Equipping oneself for the opportunities that lie ahead is a distinct advantage in life. Reflecting on my past experiences, including internships, project work, and engagements with underserved communities, has underscored the pivotal role of readiness – the readiness to learn, adapt, and grow.

Life's trajectory is profoundly influenced by our past actions. I've witnessed how unforeseen challenges and opportunities can shape one's journey. I've been fortunate to realize the power of documenting life's narratives, both the highs and lows, which provide invaluable insights of my life lessons until now. These moments of joy and adversity don't simply happen; they are the outcomes of opportunities seized for preparation, learning, and personal growth.

When I speak of the opportunity to prepare, I refer to the privilege of having resources that afford us time for contemplation and growth. Back when I was 18, I worked in a manufacturing facility where individuals toiled tirelessly like machines to produce a single product. This experience emphasized the significance of having the time to prepare.

I would say life would be far less fulfilling if we couldn't even answer the question, "What are you doing to improve yourself? Do you have time to study or enhance your skills for a better job?". And "Yes", most of my colleagues in the factory didn't even have time to think about that because they didn't even have time for themselves or even too tired from 8-5 work shift + over time work/ a night shift. Should we blame capitalism for this?

Another poignant moment that shaped my perspective was encountering individuals facing severe financial turmoil due to unforeseen, abrupt events. Their struggles underscored the need for a chance – an opportunity to return to a point where there is still time for reflection and preparation. It was painful to witness their inability to ready themselves and respond effectively to the opportunities that arose during the storm. This reinforced my belief in the immeasurable value of the opportunity to prepare.

The Significance of Preparedness Opportunities.

Preparation is the linchpin for capitalizing on opportunities and surmounting challenges. It encompasses planning, effort, and an appetite for learning. Through preparation, we bolster our readiness to confront life's twists and turns, approaching them with confidence and competence. Sometimes, these opportunities aren't always apparent and we need to capture it. Also sometimes, it takes a change in perspective to recognize their true significance. A good effective preparation for challenges will always diminish anxiety and fear. When we've invested effort in readiness, we can confront adversity with poise and resolve. This mental preparedness is as crucial as the practical steps we take to address challenges.

Challenges: The foremost aspect of preparation opportunities is their ability to reveal challenges.

Good preparation opportunities enable us to perceive and navigate life's challenges as they arise. My experiences, including engagement with vulnerable groups, both locally and abroad, have illuminated the universality of hardship. No one traverses life without encountering adversity. Even those with power and affluence have confronted adversity, making them feel exceptionally unlucky. What distinguishes those who thrive from those who struggle is their attitude. They perceive challenges as opportunities to ready themselves for a brighter future.

To illustrate, consider a person aspiring to enter university or achieve excellent grades. Success demands rigorous preparation, patience, and practice to attain proficiency. Diligence is essential, but recognizing one's limitations and seeking assistance when needed is equally important. The opportunity to prepare and cultivate skills by surmounting obstacles is truly a priceless gift.

Resilience: The often-overlooked aspect of preparation opportunities is their role in building resilience.

Resilience, a term frequently heard in the tech world, particularly among software companies, denotes the ability to rebound from adversity and emerge stronger. Genuine resilience arises from confronting and managing challenges adeptly. For instance, amidst the current economic downturn and soaring inflation, individuals in my circle have faced job losses. While this could have shattered their self-esteem and left them questioning their worth in the job market, they seized the opportunity to reassess their career goals. They returned as high-quality employees coveted by every company. The opportunity to prepare fosters resilience by enabling us to adapt to circumstances and glean insights from experiences. It's akin to a tree that, after weathering a storm, grows stronger. In life, we often encounter storms, but it's the preparation, the readiness to face them, that defines our journey.

The opportunity to prepare isn't something we deploy in every situation, as there are instances where readiness alone won't suffice. Outcomes also hinge on favorable circumstances aligning with our needs. However, the fact that one has the opportunity to prepare, learn, and grow from these situations is pivotal. It profoundly influences how we approach the inevitable challenges and setbacks, making us more adept at navigating them. More significantly, these opportunities to prepare are like a crucible for building resilience and deepening self-awareness. So, the past is not solely about past achievements; it's about leveraging the present to prepare for the future we envision.

Experienced and Written by Bond Rungrot