How prepared are you for your next interview or important meeting?

 / 

Two of my friends absolutely nailed important interviews recently. Both put in a massive effort in the buildup and both were successful.

One landed a leadership role at a major Silicon Valley company known for their grueling recruitment process. The other secured a R750,000 scholarship to do his masters at a top international university.

They did tons of reading, made detailed notes and phoned people who had relevant experience to get advice. They studied up on important concepts and asked friends to help them rehearse the interview.

We‘re talking about hours and hours of focused preparation over a period of several weeks.

They remind me of Georges St. Pierre, the famous Canadian mixed martial artist. He is frequently cited as one of the greatest fighters in MMA history. Here’s his take on preparation:

"The way you train reflects the way you fight. People say I’m not going to train too hard, I’m going to do this in training, but when it’s time to fight I’m going to step up. There is no step up. You’re just going to do what you did every day."

My friends stepped into the ring of life to face incredible opportunities. And because they came prepared, they were ready and succeeded.

How prepared are you for your next interview or important meeting?