Waiting on Gustav

As I sit here and wait for hurricane Gustav, it occurs to me that I probably have about an hour of uninterrupted thinking time. My family is out and about picking up some “last minute” necessities. (Probably M&Ms and Gummy Worms!) Knowing exactly what to do at this time is a little nerve wracking so I am taking a break and “letting the chips fall where they may” for a little while. The patio furniture is secure, we have propane gas, and we are hunkered down. And I can still use the computer to capture my thoughts. If (when?) the electricity fails I am not sure if I would have the energy to write in longhand (and besides my handwriting is so bad I might not be able to interpret it).

I am wondering if others feel this unprepared in uncertain times. But are not all times uncertain? We never really know what is going to happen from day to day or, for that matter, from minute to minute. We try to have influence on people and events but certainty is forever elusive. The best we can do is to be prepared for uncertainty and change. Change may be the only thing that is certain and constant.

In consulting with business persons we (our business team) are continuously preparing for change. We advise our clients that if they don’t like change… they will like irrelevance even less. So let’s get with the program! Abraham Lincoln said, “I will prepare and someday my chance will come.” So he prepared and was elected the 16th president of the United States.

Upon further reflection, I think it is the hurried preparation that increases the stress levels to the breaking point. If we are continuously preparing and adjusting our plans (in business or for other life events) I propose that our confidence in ultimate survival and success will increase. It is very difficult to plan the battle in the midst of it. The plan should come first. And if the battle is not going the way it should, retreating and gathering a better plan may be a good course of action.

I hope your plan is well thought out and executable. Also, I hope your hatches are battened down!

Let’s hope Gustav is more show than blow.