Be Prepared for Good News

We recently went to the Dominican Republic last week to go kiteboarding, but day after day… there was no wind. Tuesday morning came along and more of the same.

Then a miracle happened (I’m exaggerating slightly): wind! ?We were on the water in mere minutes, because we were prepared for such a shift: our gear was ready, we were dressed to be on the water, and we knew the details of our plan.

This may sound silly, but many people are not prepared for good news. This is true in both business as well as their personal life.

The tide turns in their favor, but they can’t take advantage of the shift for any number of reasons.

Here’s how to avoid such a missed opportunity:

1. Keep your resources ready: Make sure the people, tools, plans and other elements you will need are prepared, should an opportunity arise. Have a plan. Know how to turn it on without hesitation. Make lists, think them through, and make revisions. Ready doesn’t mean “wing it”. Ready means ready.
2. Manage the emotional and mental elements: In advance, deal with issues of head and heart. Be prepared to deal with the risks that pursuing a new opportunity might entail. Prepare yourself emotionally for leaving the safety of the status quo to head in a new direction.
3. Get others on board: Figure out whose participation and support you will need and enlist them in advance. Deal with objections in advance. Run practice sessions, so that everyone feels comfortable with what they need to do when you say “Go!” Make sure they take you—and the potential opportunity—seriously.

One last point… I’m writing these words as the Southern California wildfires have scorched over 60 square miles and destroyed many thousands of homes. Preparing for opportunities is quite similar to preparing for disasters; you may need to react instantly, without time to think. This is why you need to do your best thinking in advance.

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I help successful leaders and their teams agree on what needs to change and how to make it happen. I am the author of?Fearless?Growth and?The Agility Advantage.?

For more strategies, videos and free materials, please visit?www.setili.com. If you are curious, here are a few quick examples of the work we do. You might also enjoy my Fearless Growth Podcast.

Contact me anytime to discuss your situation and how I can support you.

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When opportunity knocks at your door, will you be fast enough to open it?

?#opportunity #innovation #agility