When you’re at Apple, everything you do will be compared to the master, all the more so if you’re the one stepping into his shoes. That notion behind us, Tim Cook was speaking from the heart during his May 14, 2010 commencement address at Auburn, his alma mater and has wisdom to impart.

Whereas I’m fond of repeating, “Luck favors the prepared,” Cook has lived these words and illuminates them well in this address:

In business as in sports, the vast majority of victories are determined before the beginning of the game. We rarely control the timing of opportunities, but we can control our preparation… Prepare and your chance will come.

See also: Text of Steve Jobs Stanford commencement address

This is wisdom, stuff for the ages, that I’ve been trying to instill in my kids.

Are you a believer?