You can’t control the market, but you can control your preparation. It’s a game-changer that flips the script from feeling like a victim of circumstance to becoming the architect of your own success, no matter what’s happening around you.
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Meaning
This quote is about shifting your focus from external chaos you can’t influence to the internal discipline you can master. It’s the ultimate empowerment move.
Explanation
Look, I’ve seen this play out so many times. You’ll have a salesperson blaming the economy, a marketer blaming the algorithm changes, an entrepreneur blaming the competition. And you know what? They’re not wrong. Those things are real. But focusing on them is a dead end. It’s like being a sailor who only ever complains about the wind. The pros? They adjust their sails. That’s what preparation is. It’s your rigging, your maps, your skill. When the storm hits—and it will—you’re not panicking. You’re executing. You’ve already drilled for this. You can’t make the wind blow your way, but you can damn sure make sure you’re ready to catch it when it does. It’s the difference between being reactive and being proactive. It’s about owning your part of the equation, 100%.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Career (192) |
| Topics | control (58), focus (155), preparation (15) |
| Literary Style | direct (414) |
| Emotion / Mood | realistic (354) |
| Overall Quote Score | 72 (65) |
Origin & Factcheck
This one comes straight from the legendary Brian Tracy, from his 2002 book Be a Sales Superstar. You’ll sometimes see similar sentiments floating around, but this is the original source. It’s pure, classic Tracy—no-nonsense and action-oriented.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Brian Tracy (375) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Be a Sales Superstar: 21 Great Ways to Sell More, Faster, Easier in Tough Markets (48) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1892) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Brian Tracy, a prolific author gained global reputation because of his best seller book list such as Eat That Frog!, Goals!, and The Psychology of Selling, and created influential audio programs like The Psychology of Achievement. He is sought after guru for personal development and business performance. Brian Tracy International, coaches millions of professionals and corporates on sales, goal setting, leadership, and productivity.
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Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | You can’t control the market, but you can control your preparation |
| Book Details | Publication Year: 2003; ISBN: 978-1-57675-273-9; Latest Edition: AMACOM, 2003; Number of Pages: 128. |
| Where is it? | Chapter 4: Preparing to Win, Approximate page from 2003 edition: 30 |