Everyone Has A Plan
Everyone has a plan until they get punched.
“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face”. -Mike Tyson
Wise words spoken by the champ himself. Ok! Maybe not that wise, but I never thought I would quote anything that came out of the mouth of Mike Tyson (in a serious manner). At that point in his career, I doubt he knew of the sense he made, based on such an impractical statement. Think of all the fighters that battled Mike Tyson. What was their game plan? Were they victorious? What adjustments did they make to avoid getting knocked out, and how frequent? I assume they may have prepped 6–8 weeks prior to the bout, but they did plan the frequency at which they would be making adjustments if they underestimated his hitting power?
There has always been a strong emphasis on people focusing on goal setting, or 7p’s(as I know it), and ensuring your goal is successfully achieved. Philanthropist’s repetitiously speak about consistency, and to be thoroughness. Making sure to create milestone markers that assesses personal progress, but not enough time spent discussing how to improve adaptability in those times of unprecedented conflicts. Ask yourself, how many times have you started something(projects, dieting, etc.) but then a unforeseen variable presents itself , punches you in the face and creates a temporary rift in your development? In those times you’ve found yourself in dismay, what was your counter-attack to life’s straight jab to your chin?
In conjunction with competency, the ability to keep a tranquil persona, and mentally navigate your way through those intermittent hurdles are a few qualities that separate the good from the great. We all have those moments where we plan everything out to the “fine stitching”, however something unexpected happens. For example, on the day of my wedding; I went through a mental, and physical checklist of everything I would need to leave the house with prior to heading towards the wedding venue. When I finally arrive to the venue (which is 20 miles away from my home), I immediately notice I forgot the 48x56 table seating chart I had designed specifically for our guests attending the reception. At that moment, I was faced with two decisions. I had the option to leave the sign where it was, or find a way to get the sign back in time for the reception, but I would be late to my own wedding if I chose option B.
Typically, when these type of instances happen, the ball never really tips in my favor. However, in that day of complete chaos, I made the best executive life decision (ever to date). I convinced my two friends to drive to my house and pick the sign up. Once they agreed, we all had a solid understanding that upon accepting this mission, they could potentially miss the ceremony, but would be deemed the “men of the hour” if they got the sign back in time for the reception. Long story short, they left and came back with time to spare(a mixture of a late wedding, and their unsafe driving habits).
Since that day, I have adopted a new personal mantra, “control what you can control”. It is physically impossible to block every punch that life throws your way, but you can make constant tweaks that will attribute to your end success. That is one of many keys to success!
—Carl.