Preparation

Alexander Hamilton one of our Founding Fathers and first secretary
of the treasury was considered a genius in his day. He said, "Men give me
credit for genius; but al the genius I have lies in this: When I have a
subject on hand I study it profoundly." Hamilton was a disciplined and
highly productive man. He understood that no matter your circumstances,
resources, or natural talent, certain things were always within your
control--your ability to work harder and smarter than anybody else. That
bears remembering as you prepare yourself for the challenges that lay ahead
of you. (John Maxwell...Talent is Never Enough)