If it Matters, Set a Rain Date

After a two year slump, this past summer has — thankfully — featured the full complement of receptions, ceremonies, and parties. Many summer events happen outside. No one has solved the problem of rain yet, but smart organizers of outdoor events will often put one of the most brilliant scheduling concepts ever invented right there on the invitation.

I’m talking about the rain date.

When the organizers set a rain date for an event, they are acknowledging that much can go predictably wrong outside. It’s right there in the “rain date” name. But there’s no question of whether the event will be rescheduled, or when. It will be, on the rain date. By setting a firm back-up slot for the event in question, you vastly increase the chances of it happening, even if not at the original time.

The more I study time, the more I see that we need a lot more rain dates in life. If something is important to you, don’t rely on life to go perfectly. Create a back up slot — and the chances of success rise a lot.

I’m not sure why people are surprised that life doesn’t always go as planned. I have conversations all the time with people who have finally made space for a top priority — one of those important-but-not-urgent things they truly want to make happen — and then they get frustrated when life intervenes.