Preparation separates those who wait from those who lead.
The most influential leaders I know practice before it counts. They rehearse during the quiet hours, refining habits no one tracks, building skills that seem unnecessary—until they aren’t.
Leverage Anders Ericsson’s research on expert performance: Focused, deliberate practice predicts success better than talent or timing. It’s about shaping instincts that appear when pressure rises.
Training isn’t checking boxes. It’s building muscle memory for judgment. Spend 30 minutes this week preparing for the role you want next. Readiness begins before anyone asks for it.