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%.
Summary
| Category | Career (8) |
|---|---|
| Topics | control (1), focus (7), preparation (1) |
| Style | direct (13) |
| Mood | realistic (20) |
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.
| Author | Brian Tracy (7) |
|---|---|
| Book | Be a Sales Superstar: 21 Great Ways to Sell More, Faster, Easier in Tough Markets (3) |
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.
Official Website |Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube |
Where is this quotation located?
| You can’t control the market, but you can control your preparation |
| Publication Year: 2003; ISBN: 978-1-57675-273-9; Latest Edition: AMACOM, 2003; Number of Pages: 128. |
| Chapter 4: Preparing to Win, Approximate page from 2003 edition: 30 |
Context
Tracy wrote this specifically for salespeople navigating tough, volatile markets. He was pushing back against the excuse-making culture that can creep in when quotas get tight. The whole book is a manual on building unshakeable habits so that external pressures don’t dictate your internal state or your results.
Usage Examples
This isn’t just for sales. I use this mindset with everyone.
- For a Freelancer: You can’t control if a client suddenly cuts their budget. But you can control having a diverse pipeline of leads so one setback doesn’t sink you.
- For a Project Manager: You can’t control a key team member quitting. But you can control your documentation and cross-training so the transition isn’t a catastrophe.
- For a Student: You can’t control how hard the final exam is. But you can control your study schedule and how many practice tests you take.
The audience is anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by forces outside their control. So, basically, everyone.
To whom it appeals?
| Audience | entrepreneurs (87), leaders (133), sales people (20) |
|---|---|
This quote can be used in following contexts: leadership programs,sales seminars,business training
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FAQ
Question: Isn’t this just about having a positive mindset?
Answer: Not exactly. Mindset is part of it, but preparation is action. It’s the tangible work—the research, the practice, the planning—that builds genuine confidence, not just wishful thinking.
Question: What if I prepare and still fail?
Answer: Then you learn, and you prepare differently next time. Failure with preparation gives you data. Failure without it just gives you an excuse.
Question: How do you know what to prepare for?
Answer: You prepare for the fundamentals. Master your craft, understand your client’s deepest needs, and have a plan B and C. You can’t predict every event, but you can build a foundation that’s resilient to most shocks.
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