Prepared

I have felt for a long time that too much is better than not enough.
In some circumstances too much is not a good thing – like eating something, or having chocolate or engaging in some activity to an excessive amount. I have had to have a realistic self-assessment that tells me to stop rather than continue. (Getting older is a downer, and having a stroke has meant I have had to slow down.)
But there are some activities where I feel it is important to go above and beyond in order to achieve what is expected - and often more than is expected.
It may seem to be the dim and distant past thing and we may have been perceived to be just emerging from caves, but I do remember doing an assignment and the teacher giving me extra marks because what I presented was what he had taught and something I had discovered in my reading.  That was a case of having a grip on what I was taught and making discoveries on the topic for myself.
To me that is like a case in point.  When it comes to studies or presentations, I prefer to be over prepared than underprepared.  I have experienced both and for sure being over prepared is better.  When over prepared I can cut back as necessary.  Underprepared involves thinking on the run and a hope (built on a flimsy foundation) that all will be ok.
Being over prepared involves assessing what is in front of me and gathering what is needed to overwhelm what can prevent me from achieving my goal.  If it is an unrealistic assessment (built on facts - not fear) it is better I come to terms with the reality that presents itself.  Sometimes a win is not a “never” thing but a “not now” thing.
Whatever the case I need to assess what is before me, determine if I really want to achieve something, work out what I need to do it and then go for it.  Sometimes it is whittling away and other times it is like a torrent.
A new reality always emerges after a success but that is part of my planning and something to face another day.