In other forums, I’ve had lots of spirited discussions about the validity of Timothy Ferriss’s The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich, and, while some of his tactics may not mesh with all of my principles, a few do stand out. I thought I’d share a few of those with you over the next couple of days. Here’s what you could call a “quotable quote” from his book.

“Make the best use of time instead of filling it.”

I don’t know how to figure out, exactly, how to accomplish my hopes and dreams, I do know one thing right now: I check email too much, and I dink around, looking at web sites I’ve already looked at twice that day.

I’m a writer, with a full time job, two young children and lots to do each day. I don’t think I have time, but if I don’t spend so much time wasting the time I have, I’d have more time. Here’s my first goal: limit e-mail, and use the time to write instead.

There are other applications of this quote, of course, but the bottom line is that if you want to accomplish a goal, writing or otherwise, you’ve got to make the best use of your time instead of filling it with mindless chatter.

In the classic novel, Have Space Suit–Will Travel, Robert Heinlein emphasizes (and in a number of his novels) preparedness. Read closely:

“‘Luck’ is a question-begging word,” [the professor] answered. “You spoke of the ‘amazing luck’ that you were listening when my daughter called for help. That wasn’t luck…Why were you on that frequency? Because you were wearing a spacesuit. Why were you wearing it? Because you were determined to space. When a space ship called, you answered. If that is luck, then it is luck every time a batter hits a ball. Kip, ‘good luck’ follows careful preparation; ‘bad luck’ comes from sloppiness” (p. 244, 2005 Pocket Books edition.)

Forget about the genre for a minute, put spaceships and spacesuits behind you, and listen to what Heinlein emphasizes: Good luck follows careful preparation.

As writers, parents, teachers–whatever your occupation, whatever your age or stage in life, whatever you’re passionate about–you won’t travel an inch if you’re not prepared. How can you walk through an open door if you can’t recognize the opportunity? Look for ways to prepare yourself for future opportunities: read a classic, write a novel, turn off the television set, create attainable goals.

Preparedness will create your own “good luck.”