what does it mean to be prepared ?

First you have to recognize and accept reality. Then you can prepare effectively for the war.

"Westerners, who tend to deny that life is a struggle, have become non-confrontational. Their typical approach to dealing with illness is a perfect parallel to their method for handling strife. Instead of fully embracing the possibility of disease (conflict) and preparing for it, most people naively hope that they will be rewarded for their good deeds by being spared illness. When sickness strikes, the explanation is usually attributed to the mysterious ways of God. But there is nothing mysterious about it; nature impartially sends disease to any weakened form, regardless of morality. Blind to this truth, people abuse their bodies with poor nutrition, lack of exercise, and so on, taking the confidently passive approach that pills will fight their illness for them. This endemic psychology creates a culture of passivity, making victimization a likely reward as nature weeds out the weak of the herd.  
To live in peace, prepare for war.
... .
The most constant social demands stem from professional obligations that are supported by the "work ethic" to labor long, arduous hours. A strong work ethic is an instrument of discipline in an industrial society, but taken to the extreme, it damages our spirit as we excessively forgo daily pleasures. Therefore, we must find ways to avoid working our lives away while at the same time earning a living and appeasing employers. This means we must maneuver intelligently, providing professional value with an appropriate commitment of time and energy."   Grand Master Alex Anatole in Essence of Tao

In the end, it will be your family and friends that take care of you when you are in need, not your job. And how do we take care of them ? By taking care of ourselves ~ prepared for the war, some battles will be averted and others won.