24 of 49 – Assume You’ll Use Plan B

[progressally_objectives]

My three daughters and I visited with my sister and her family in the Florida Keys. Wake boarding was the plan. I had a few runs and after I fell one time, the boat took forever to come back around.

When it finally came back around, my brother-in-law yelled, “Bring it in.” Sofi, one of my daughters, had cut her head.

“Cut her head?” What a surprise? When I last fell, the ski rope sprung out of my hands all the way back to the boat. It smacked her in the head and cut her right behind the hairline. I’ve boated all my life and never would have thought this could happen. It did.

Two staples later, she’s just fine, but boy did our plans change. We threw out Plan A, enjoying time wake boarding with the family, and put Plan B into effect, visit the hospital.

When running my business, I never expect anything to go as planned. Employees will take a day off…unexpectedly. A well paying, happy customer will decide – with little notice – to use another vendor. The Internet will go out at the least opportune time. If something unexpected can happen, it will.

My point is I pray for the best, but prepare for the worse. I have to be flexible and prepared. When a disaster hits, I can’t panic. We have to figure out what to do next with a level head. We then look hard for the opportunity that almost always emerges. I search for the upside in the challenge knowing everyone that competes with me faces the same lack of predictability. If I can handle the craziness well, it could what customers see that makes me a better option compared to others they could be using.

Note to self: Thrive in the craziness assuming plan B will go into effect.

Thought for the day:

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