By Uju Onyechere, an accomplished widely-traveled public speaker, writer/author ( 33 books to his credit), educationist and an outstanding leader, known for his meritous service to humanity.+234 902 212 3271, ujunaza@gmail.com
In the early days of his career, Daniel Webster, one of America’s most renowned lawyers and orators, took on a case for a fee of just $20. At first glance, it seemed like an insignificant opportunity. The case was complex, demanding hours of study and even requiring him to travel to Boston at a personal cost greater than the fee he was promised. Yet Webster was determined to give it his best. He researched thoroughly, prepared meticulously, and eventually won.
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Looking back, the case was small in financial terms, but it became one of the defining moments of his career. Nearly twenty years later, a large company approached him with an urgent and highly lucrative case. As he reviewed the files, he realized it was almost identical to the $20 case he had fought two decades earlier. His prior preparation paid off. He took on the matter, argued brilliantly, and once again secured victory for his client, this time with a stunning reward.
This story underscores a timeless truth, preparation is never wasted. What looks insignificant today may become the very foundation for tomorrow’s success.
One of our international lecturers at Benson and Edwards Public Speaking Academy once said, “The reason many people struggle as writers and speakers is simple: they do not have the patience for research.”
Too many young people aspire to become public speakers or influencers because of the recognition, fame, and fortune they see others enjoying. Yet few ask themselves the harder questions: Am I prepared? Have I done the work? What achievements do I have that can genuinely inspire others?
As Cavett Robert, founder of the National Speakers Association, once warned: “Don’t be in too much of a hurry to promote, until you get good. Otherwise, you just speed up the rate at which the world finds out you’re no good.”
Leadership is not built on stages or platforms; it is forged in the quiet hours of discipline. History gives us countless examples. Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison, yet those were not wasted years. He read, reflected, and built relationships. Prison became his preparation ground for the presidency. When freedom finally came, he was ready, not just to lead, but to reconcile a divided nation.
Steve Jobs, long before Apple became a global empire, once dropped into a calligraphy class at Reed College. He had no idea how useful it would be until years later, when the design principles he learned there shaped the beautiful typography of the Macintosh computer. That “small class” became part of the foundation of a company worth trillions today.
Serena Williams, one of the greatest tennis champions of all time, is famous not just for her talent but for her preparation. She once remarked, “I’ve never been a naturally quick learner. I work hard, I prepare hard, and I fight harder.” Long before the trophies, there were grueling hours on the court, sweat, and sacrifice.
Each of these leaders reminds us that the spotlight only reveals the work you have already done in the shadows.
Preparation also requires humility, the willingness to learn. John Wooden, the legendary basketball coach, constantly reminded his players, “When opportunity comes, it’s too late to prepare.” Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon, echoed this spirit when he said, “There’s always somebody who can come in and be better than you. This you cannot control. But you can control your preparation.” The world is always watching. In whatever you do, you are not the only one; there are countless others equally talented and hungry. The edge is preparation.
Smith Wigglesworth once warned, “If you are trying to get ready when you are supposed to be ready, you are already late.”
Think of Maya Angelou, who spent years collecting experiences, journaling, and studying language. By the time she wrote I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, she had already done the work in silence. Her preparation gave voice to generations.
Or consider Usain Bolt: the world remembers the nine seconds of Olympic glory, but not the years of relentless training, the failures, the injuries, and the unseen sprints under the Jamaican sun. His motto was simple: “Easy is not an option.” Preparation is simply doing today what your future self will thank you for.
So, what does this mean for you as a leader, entrepreneur, speaker, or student? Pay the price now. The work you do in obscurity will reward you in visibility. Research deeply. Don’t settle for surface knowledge; dig until you own the subject. Be patient. Greatness is never microwaved; it is slow-cooked. Stay teachable. The moment you stop learning, you start declining.
There is always a price for every prize. The question is: Are you willing to pay it?
To our success!
