The power of preparation

For soccer lovers there's excitement in the air as the new season of the English Premier League just kicked off. No longer are our weekends going to be slow. Betting companies are also rubbing their hands with glee at the thought of all the money they are going to make from betting freaks looking to get rich quick.

All that ties in well with the principle of success that I'm using football to explore. The principle is preparation. Pre-season matches have been on-going as coaches of big and small clubs test the strength of their squads. But the biggest preparation has been in clubs spending a lot of money buying the most talented players from Europe's best leagues albeit holding on to their own talismans. The league is very, very competitive and punitive, so you ignore the transfer window at your own peril. 

 The diligence and fervency with which clubs prepare for the new season in a bid to be declared champions at the end, has a whole lot to teach us about life. Nothing ought be left to chance. Success has to be prepared for physically, socially, economically, religiously and psychologically. You look at all the rich and successful people and think they are just lucky but the truth is they prepare and work harder than the average people. As someone said, success can only happen when luck meets thorough preparation. 

Preparation is so important because it brings order, purpose and inspires confidence in the pursuit of our dreams. If you have not fulfilled half the resolutions you made at the beginning of this year, it's time to take stock and prepare early for the coming year to achieve prominently. 

 Otherwise I'm excited that the side I love, Arsenal, prepared well for the new season. During preseason several boys in the reserve team got their chance and showed flashes of magic. We also strengthened at the back and upfront with quality signings, so I don't see any side stopping us this time!!