During his forty-year career in the worlds of law, sports, business, and politics, Ron Shapiro has worked with a great variety of people. He’s found that the secret for getting into the winner’s circle is simply disciplined preparation.

In Dare to Prepare, successful people such as wine guru Robert Parker, investment legend Bill Miller, pianist Leon Fleisher, Goldman Sachs partner Lisa Fontenelli, broadcaster Bob Costas, firefighter Ann Marie Tierney, New York Mets manager Willie Randolph, and many others share the way they apply discipline in preparing for career-changing games, deals, meetings, and interviews.

Cal Ripken, Jr., played thousands of games in the major leagues but prepared for each like it was his first. Here are the steps necessary for you to prepare like a champion.