Some things can be done ahead of time, some things can be done anytime, and some things can only be done in real-time. You can lay out your clothes tonight for tomorrow. You can take time to smell the roses anytime. You can only drive in real-time. Well, I guess anything you do is done in real-time, but being disciplined for success means being disciplined in the use of our time. The following sayings I heard growing up help me to be mindful of managing my time. “A stitch in time, saves nine.” “Never put off for tomorrow what can be done today.” “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Thinking ahead is something you can do ahead of time, anytime, and in real-time. While I am driving, I can think and plan for things I may do in the next hour, the next week, or the next year. Things I have done well in my life were often born in thought while I was running, walking, exercising, praying, or just sitting still. Disciplining ourselves to think ahead keeps us from the trap of backwards thinking which can lead to pride, regret, second-guessing, or any number of emotions that keep us trapped in the past.
Whatever we do today is the result of what we prepared for, or failed to prepare for, in our yesterdays. Likewise, whatever we do today is inextricably linked to our tomorrows. For tomorrow’s dreams, take a moment between moments today and do whatever you can ahead of time. Training occurs before game day and rehearsals come before a recital. In order to be disciplined for success we must plan ahead, think ahead, and begin to do things ahead of time. As we do this we will always stay ahead of the game.