careful planning & effortless

The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
Law 29

Plan All the Way to the End

The ending is everything. Plan all the way to it, taking into account all the possible consequences, obstacles, and twists of fortune that might reverse your hard work and give the glory to others. By planning to the end you will not be overwhelmed by circumstances and you will know when to stop. Gently guide fortune and help determine the future by thinking far ahead.

I can hear my grandmother saying this to me. Especially, when it comes to something important... You can't really leave much to chance.. You better have a plan B to G... Etc. You never know. Because life is not definite you have to be prepared for sudden changes or roadblocks. I guess i never really considered the whole stalker thing... Never planned for that and I got really scared. I mentally prepared for the surgery so i knew what I would do just in case something would happen (my mother could only stay for the day of the surgery). It's difficult to plan for everything but the things that really matter should be carefully thought out.

Law 30

Make your Accomplishments Seem Effortless

Your actions must seem natural and executed with ease. All the toil and practice that go into them, and also all the clever tricks, must be concealed. When you act, act effortlessly, as if you could do much more. Avoid the temptation of revealing how hard you work – it only raises questions. Teach no one your tricks or they will be used against you.

Oh if only. Some stuff is easier to conceal. Pretending to "wing" something can be tough. I think this was much easier in high school. Now since I'm in college things are much more difficult and I think people can read the lack of sleep on my face. Yeah I may have gotten through that exam very quickly but I look like crap because I haven't slept in 24 hours, I really hope my socks match. The point is, I think some stuff shows no matter how much you try to conceal it.