Planning for Problems?

Recently three things set me thinking.  

1. The happiness trap by Dr. Russ Harris tells us that the modern mind is always on the lookout for problems.
2. A very successful businessman once advised me that; when things are going great it’s time to start expecting problems.
3. Vince Lombardi considered to be one of the best coaches in NFL history tells us “…it’s not whether you get knocked down its whether you get up…”

So here is what I was thinking. The reality is; we will all face problems at some point in both our personal and professional lives (“Into each life some rain must fall” Longfellow).  It is how we deal with those problems that will ultimately define what sort of life we live. The really interesting thing is that most of the problems that may befall us are predictable.  Births, deaths, marriages, ill health, moving home etc.

We are not alone and we are not unusual. We only have to look around and learn from other people’s lives. If we raise our awareness of what’s going on around us it will help us plan for all eventualities (good and bad). Another NFL great Bill Walsh talks about expecting defeats, relentlessly and intelligently seeking solutions and always creating ‘contingency’ plans.

What does this all mean to you?  

1. Planning for when things might go wrong is probably more important than planning for some ideal future that may never arrive.  
2. The time to keep a positive attitude and outlook is when things look bad.  
3. Be aware of your circumstances and open your mind to the pitfalls ahead and put in plans now that will direct your actions if and when trouble comes.

This type of planning is covered in our Money and Life pages.  It is amazing how having control of your finances will help most problems while practicing how to stay positive is best done when there is no ‘rain’ to trouble you.

​NOTE:  Click Here for an audio presentation of this post.