You can arrive early and still be unprepared.

Being first is not the same as being ready. You can secure the position, start the relationship, launch the project ahead of everyone else and simply not yet have what it takes to hold it, at which point the head start turns into a longer fall. Arrival and readiness are separate achievements.

When you find yourself hurrying to get somewhere first, ask what you would need to do it well and whether you have it. If not, decide honestly whether you can build it fast enough. Sometimes the answer is yes. When it is no, arriving later and capable beats arriving early and exposed.