What is Readiness?
The oxford dictionary defines readiness as:
1. Willingness to do something.
2. The state of being fully preparedness for something.
Simply put, it is being willing and able. This can also be written as an equation:
MENTAL FOCUS + PHYSICAL PRACTICE = READINESS
1. Willingness to do something.
2. The state of being fully preparedness for something.
Simply put, it is being willing and able. This can also be written as an equation:
MENTAL FOCUS + PHYSICAL PRACTICE = READINESS
Why is Readiness Important?
Many of us understand that readiness is inherently important to minimize risk in life. On a deeper level, it builds decisiveness, problem-solving and critical thinking skills that benefit all areas of our life.
However, we often find it difficult to prioritize readiness…until something ‘bad’ happens. We say things like, “I’m so busy”, “I don’t have the time to devote to this”, “I don’t know how”.
Therefore, a better question to ask ourselves is…
However, we often find it difficult to prioritize readiness…until something ‘bad’ happens. We say things like, “I’m so busy”, “I don’t have the time to devote to this”, “I don’t know how”.
Therefore, a better question to ask ourselves is…
How Can Making Readiness a Priority Improve your Life?
When people say, “It will never happen,” what they really mean is that it will never happen to them, so why bother being prepared. The problem with that attitude is that if that event does happen, someone else will be responsible to handle it for them, because they weren’t prepared. They are choosing to sit and wait and hope they will be rescued. This is clearly not proactive.
Prioritizing readiness is a proactive approach. You are in control.
Let’s now take a look at how you can do this.
Prioritizing readiness is a proactive approach. You are in control.
Let’s now take a look at how you can do this.
To do this, let’s change the way we talk about readiness
Instead of saying, “It will never happen” or “I can’t find the time to deal with this right now”, and rephrasing it with, “I’ll handle it”, you empower yourself to embrace a potential challenge, big or small. You come to understand that you are your ‘first responder’ in life, you truly feel and know you can handle it. You have confidence and capability.
When we accept the idea that challenges lead to growth, we are more open-minded to test ourselves. After all, if the end result is growth, not failure, it’s not so scary. Nothing will go wrong. In fact, everything will improve!
When we accept the idea that challenges lead to growth, we are more open-minded to test ourselves. After all, if the end result is growth, not failure, it’s not so scary. Nothing will go wrong. In fact, everything will improve!
Our Approach - Gamifying Your Goals
Many people want to be prepared and capable but struggle to find an enjoyable yet effective way to do this. Therefore, we will use a fun game approach. You will tackle your real-life challenges.
Do you like games? Probably, yes. Most of us enjoy board games, video games or other games with friends or alone. They are enjoyable. They certainly do not feel like work. We remember the fun we had playing childhood games. Through games, we secretly actually learn a lot of life skills, sort of like how our parents would add vegetables to our pasta sauce without us knowing. Games are a great way to learn without the pressure.
Life is a lot like a game.
Whether it’s a traditional board game, fantasy game, video game, etc., there are a lot of commonalities. Games have rules, obstacles, consequence and some sort of ending. Same as life. For example, consider planning a vacation. You have rules to follow (airline rules, country laws), obstacles (money, passport, safety), and consequences based on your choices (great or awful experience).
Since life is a game, and games are enjoyable, why not tackle your real-life readiness with a game mindset? This approach is fun, but also effective because games allow for a safe space for failure and do overs. Games take the pressure off. Do you throw the controller down and stomp off after your first loss in a vide game? No, of course not.
A game does not have the emotional weight of real life. This is not to minimize real life issues, but to show that most situations we deal with daily are not life and death crises. We pay bills, go to work, and plan for the future. Most of us don’t face natural disasters daily.
It is helpful and healthy to embrace challenges in a pleasant way, with a smile on your face. You will also be motivated to continue if it is enjoyable, and that motivation is key.
Think about exercise – aren’t we more motivated when it doesn't feel like work? When it feels like a game or challenge, like a mud race, then we still succeed and are putting in the effort but having fun doing it.
If only doing our taxes felt like a game, we’d all be looking forward to tax time!
WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE?
Do you like games? Probably, yes. Most of us enjoy board games, video games or other games with friends or alone. They are enjoyable. They certainly do not feel like work. We remember the fun we had playing childhood games. Through games, we secretly actually learn a lot of life skills, sort of like how our parents would add vegetables to our pasta sauce without us knowing. Games are a great way to learn without the pressure.
Life is a lot like a game.
Whether it’s a traditional board game, fantasy game, video game, etc., there are a lot of commonalities. Games have rules, obstacles, consequence and some sort of ending. Same as life. For example, consider planning a vacation. You have rules to follow (airline rules, country laws), obstacles (money, passport, safety), and consequences based on your choices (great or awful experience).
Since life is a game, and games are enjoyable, why not tackle your real-life readiness with a game mindset? This approach is fun, but also effective because games allow for a safe space for failure and do overs. Games take the pressure off. Do you throw the controller down and stomp off after your first loss in a vide game? No, of course not.
A game does not have the emotional weight of real life. This is not to minimize real life issues, but to show that most situations we deal with daily are not life and death crises. We pay bills, go to work, and plan for the future. Most of us don’t face natural disasters daily.
It is helpful and healthy to embrace challenges in a pleasant way, with a smile on your face. You will also be motivated to continue if it is enjoyable, and that motivation is key.
Think about exercise – aren’t we more motivated when it doesn't feel like work? When it feels like a game or challenge, like a mud race, then we still succeed and are putting in the effort but having fun doing it.
If only doing our taxes felt like a game, we’d all be looking forward to tax time!
WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE?