Reader:

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Morning Minute 3/11/25:

“Ambition + Preparation Sets YOU Up For Success!”

Ambition is a powerful force. It fuels dreams, inspires action, and can push you to be more and do more. However, ambition alone isn’t enough. It must be paired with preparation to achieve success. No matter how determined you are, skipping the necessary prerequisites in preparing to win will defeat you before you get started.

Think of it like trying to start a car without fuel. Regardless of how well designed the engine is, or how hard you press the gas pedal, it won’t start without one essential prerequisite – fuel. Success works the same way. By not completing the foundational steps required to reach your goal, no amount of ambition will get you where you want to go.

Success is built on necessary steps. Every major achievement is preceded by essential steps. Consider a high school athlete who dreams of getting a sports scholarship. They may have natural talent and a burning desire to compete at the collegiate level. However, that won’t secure them a college scholarship. They need to train consistently, improve their skills, maintain good grades, attend scouting events, and actively connect with recruiters. Without this preparation their dream remains just that – a dream. Ambition alone won’t get them a scholarship, but preparation will.​

The same applies to leadership. To build a high performance team you cannot simply demand excellence. You must establish trust by being truthful and supportive, provide the necessary training, and set clear expectations. Wannabe leaders who skip these prerequisites will find themselves frustrated when their team members don’t engage with each other, nor produce the desired results. Leadership isn’t about demanding success. It is about preparing the foundation for success.

Skipping prerequisites leads to failure. Many people set ambitious goals, but fail because they ignore the necessary steps to achieve them. Imagine an athlete signing up for a marathon without training. They may be excited, determined, and ready to push themselves. But without months of rigorous conditioning, their body won’t be prepared to endure a 26.2 mile race. The outcome isn’t determined at the starting line, but by the conditioning and work the athlete puts in ahead of the race.

​The will to win is nothing without the will to prepare to win. This applies to any worthwhile pursuit. Whether you’re growing a business, advancing in your career, or mastering a new skill, skipping the prerequisites leads to failure. Success isn’t about shortcuts. It is about doing the necessary work to keep moving forward.

Final thought: Ambition is the spark. However, preparation is the fuel. To achieve success don’t just dream about the destination. Focus on the steps that will get you to your destination. Ambition without preparation won’t take you anywhere.

“Ambition + Preparation Sets You Up For Success!”

That is today’s Morning Minute!

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If you find this message helpful, interesting, and/or informative, please repost this message on social media or share it with others As always, your comments, your questions, and your observations are greatly appreciated! You can reach me at lab@larryonlearning.com.

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Here are some recent Morning Minutes you may have missed with inspiration, actionable instruction, or interesting stories:

​"Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things!" Can Do" attributes that Americans use to create success for themselves, their families, and their businesses. Discover 10 Americans who are great examples of using these attributes to succeed in spite of humble beginnings.

​"Celebrating A Lifetime of Service To Others!" Discover both the location, the founder, and the inspiration for the Girl Scouts in the early 20th Century! Join us in celebrating an incredible lifetime of service to others in this heartwarming Morning Minute episode from 5/10/24. Watch as we highlight the impact of selflessness and kindness, and be inspired by the power of giving back. Don't miss this viral video that is sure to warm your heart and remind you of the importance of spreading love and positivity in the world.

​"Why Does Discipline Matter? Learn what discipline really is, what discipline is not, and why it is important to you!

​"To Decide, Ask What Now, Then What?" Understand that decision-making is more than just choosing. Discover the 3 factors involved in making your decision. Learn the Ripple Effects of your decision, and the Power of the Follow Through. This video will help you make better, more consistent decisions!

​"Knowing Isn't Enough. Life Rewards Action!" Gaining knowledge as you get more information is a passive activity. Because life rewards action, knowledge is of little use without action. Discover how to use the knowledge you have gained to make a meaningful impact. Learn how that courage, humility, and resilience help you be the change you are trying to create!

​"Is Your Phone, Friend or Foe?" Listen to an example of an unprofessional and unproductive outbound business phone call. Discover 2 indisputable facts about business phone usage. Learn why the sample call was so unproductive. Learn how to begin an outbound call, the 3 possible answers from the client when using this system, and how to professionally handle all 3 responses.

We voters have accepted the challenge to change our government from the incompetence, greed, and corruption of the past administration, to one that is accountable our citizens. Let's support those whom we have chosen for this task with our attention, our prayers, and our patience.

Let's do away with the gross incompetence and secrecy of the unaccountable "experts" in our government, none of whom who were chosen by our voters. Let's embrace our new leadership, one that operates in the open, uses common sense decision-making, and is doing the will of the majority of our people.

May God bless you, your family, and your team!

Larry A. Bonorato lab@larryonlearning.com 864-630-2625