Preparation

Preparation is the key to scoring high on a test, for performing beautifully in an athletic contest, for performing well on stage, for giving that public speech. Once the test begins, your preparation time ends. Once the game starts, preparation for that game ends. Once you start performing on stage, preparation for that performance ends. Once you begin to deliver your public speech, preparation for that speech ends. Students, excellent preparation precedes excellent grades and performance. Look what three of the top college athletic coaches have to say regarding preparation for a game:

What’s more important, pregame preparation or in-game adjustments?

Anson Dorrance: “I think preparation is the absolute. All things you do before the game begins are certainly more important than whatever happens during the soccer game.”
Bob Knight: “I think preparation. I think in-game adjustments are the most overrated thing in coaching. The team that’s willing to prepare to win is going to be the team that wins. Most everybody plays to win, but it’s preparing to win that I think is the most important thing in successful play.”

Mike Krzyzewski: "Pre-game preparation is much more important as far as the coach and player relationship. I find most players, if they start a game and don’t have the proper mind-set, it’s very difficult to turn that around."