This time next week my eldest son, Jack, will be leaving home to take up his position in the British Army.

The application, and selection, process has taken just over a year and proved why the British Army is one of the best, and most respected, in the world – they don’t just let anyone in, you have to prove you’ve got what it takes and the qualities they’re looking for in a soldier.

My daughter, Elise, is currently going through selection herself and is attending the one-day pre-selection course on Friday – this is so the recruiters can assess where she is with regard to the fitness levels required, how she performs under pressure on her own and as part of a team; how quickly, and accurately, she can absorb new information and whether she can recall it on demand.

Both Jack and Elise are now very au fait with the ‘Seven Military Ps’ – military, or not, they can be applied to everyone and every situation.

Take some time out today to get yourself ready for Monday, and the week ahead, with the Seven Ps and see how your performance improves!

Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents P**S Poor Performance

I’ve mused on lots of alternative words for the fifth P but came to the conclusion it works best with the one the Army chose to use – it’s VERY clear, it’s blunt, gets straight to point without dressing it up and accurately predicts the status of your performance if you ignore the first three Ps.

If you’ve ‘known me’ for a while you’ll already be aware I’m a HUGE fan of lists; I can function okay without them but I’m far more effective when I use them.

The current Six-Pack for Girls Challengers have just two weeks left now and their training changes, again, for the remaining 14 days.

To be at their most effective in the gym tomorrow they will have to look at their SPFGs FiCX training programme and get familiar with exactly what it is they need to do.  This way they can focus on putting in MAXIMUM EFFORT, rather than vaguely remembering things changed near the end and trying to recall what it was they read when we first sent them the programme eight weeks ago.

The same goes for their eating – the girls will be used to eating properly now and will have settled into a routine with regards to what and when and how much, so you’d be forgiven for thinking they don’t need to worry about this element anymore.

In actual fact, this is EXACTLY the time they should be paying MORE attention to it.  Here’s why – when we get used to doing something and it becomes routine, it’s very easy for bad habits to slip in unnoticed!

Let me use driving a car as an analogy – when I learned to drive, I was taught to hold the steering wheel with both hands and that they should be in a 10 to 2 position; I’m sure it’s the same the world over.

I was also taught that crossing your hands over each other would be an instant driving test fail; I was taught to drive according to the UK driving test rules and laws of the road.

I’ve driven pretty much every day since I passed my test, so how do I drive today?

Generally, my right hand on the wheel with my left resting on the gear stick or on my lap.  I don’t cross my hands, but often use just one to turn the wheel in circles (the power steering equivalent of crossing your hands!) and I will not lie and tell you I never break the speed limit either

Every now and again I try and drive the way I was taught, some 22 years ago, but WOW does it feel awkward!  If I was to sit my driving test today and drive normally, I’d FAIL. Thankfully it’s MUCH easier to rein in bad eating habits and return them to the way they should be!

Jack’s Army Training Regiment is 150 miles away from where we live and whilst I know where it is, and roughly how to get there, that’s not going to be good enough to get him to his ATR on time.

So before next Sunday I’ll be implementing the seven Ps – the postcode will be stored in the Sat Nav; a map, with directions and estimated journey time, will be printed off (in case the Sat Nav fails or proves to be unreliable!), the route checked for roadworks and extra time will be added on to allow for any unexpected eventualities. This is the ONLY way to ensure Jack reports for duty, as ordered, at exactly 12pm.

I’ll be using the seven Ps to plan out everything I need/want to do this coming week; there’s only one level of performance I’m happy with and it’s NOT Ps five and six

How about you?

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