As long as you prepare for an exam, presentation, test, or quiz very well, then and only then is success assured. Poor preparation for anything you want to do in life is one of the recipes for disaster. Failure to prepare simply means one is definitely going to pay the price for the consequences that come with little or no preparation.
I sat down lost in thoughts about our forthcoming presentation and thinking about what to say and how to face the crowd since I always suffer stage fright and overcoming it has become nearly impossible. I kept asking myself lots and lots of questions while trying to imagine what the day would be like: "When I climb up the stage, what do I say? Do I greet the lecturers or just state my reason for being there and avoid the greeting? Well, when that day comes, we will deal with it." I said to myself
We always have that one friend who, while others worry about a problem, acts like it is none of their business or it is not a problem at all, and if given the chance, they will want to make you act like them. While we all worried about how the presentation was going to be, we had Daniel, who was so unbothered he played his video games and went about his work as well.
"Why are you so lost in thoughts and have that distant look in your eyes?" Daniel asked as he entered the room.
"Bro, the presentation that is coming up on Friday is a cause to worry, man." I responded
"It is you that is worrying too much, as for me? On the deal day, I am going up there to say whatever comes to mind, as I find it very difficult to read these days because of work, and also video games can help get your mind off worries." Daniel suggested as he picked up his phone.
"So are you saying this presentation does not bother you at all?" I asked Daniel
"I am not bothered; you know I am a talkative; when I get there on the deal day there will definitely be something to say." Daniel responded
"I hope you know poor preparation is a recipe for disaster. Don't you think you should study a little so you have an edge of what the presentation is all about and have an idea of what to say and what not to say?" I asked Daniel
"Let my performance on that day be the judge of that kachi." Daniel responded with a tone indicating that it was high time to end the conversation.
While others studied and tried to understand a little about the topic given to them as every student was given different topics to talk about, Daniel focused more on his video games, his job, and fun, and like expected of him, he did not study ahead of the presentation, believing that being talkative is something he can rely on to do well in a presentation he did not prepare for, a presentation he has little or no idea about, and on the day of the presentation, being talkative did not save him at all.
"So tell us about your topic and areas they can be applied." One of the lecturers asked Daniel
"So my topic has to deal with irrigation, problems encountered by farmers when they want to practice irrigation systems, and emmmm emmmm emmmm." Daniel continued to stammer until he was asked to leave by the lecturers.
Daniel left knowing fully well he did not perform well, which simply means his grade for the presentation will be bad for sure, and after my presentation I rushed to meet him outside where he was sitting, and judging from the look on his face, I can bet he was wishing they could turn the hands of time.
"Hey kachi, I should have listened to you that day; now I am left regretting." Daniel lamented
"Thought you said you are talkative, and I should let your performance be the judge of it all." I teased as he gave me a forced smile.
"Indeed, poor preparation is a recipe for disaster; there is no middle ground; it is either you prepare and do well or you don't prepare and wallow in regrets." Daniel said as he buried his head in his palms.
