It is April 1st. The day infamous for practical jokes and pranks.
Mother Nature has played a big prank – I woke up to 2 inches of snow on the ground and it is still coming down. Considering it had been near or over 60 degrees the past couple weeks this is somewhat unexpected. While it is not unheard of to see snow this late in the year, it definitely is not a given. One would count against it happening, rather than for it.
But alas – it happened!
Now I am required to look at my plans today and modify where needed. There are some things that can be cancelled or moved, but there are some things that must happen today. So now I need to figure out how to make that happen despite new circumstances.
As I was mentally rearranging my day I began thinking that while today seems like an oddity, this very thing happens in life… a lot.
Despite our best planning, the unexpected happens. The question becomes how do you handle these events?
A lot of people panic when the unexpected happens. There is much emotion around the disruption. Valuable time dissipates as attention is focused on the unexpected occurrence.
Is this where focus should be directed?
Here are some tips for handling unexpected events:
- Understand that unexpected events WILL happen. Believing that the best laid plans are infallible is a sure path to shock and disappointment.
- While creating that best laid plan, spend a little time thinking about possible unexpected events. This is an opportunity to step back and look for larger risk issues and come up with a plan to handle them should they arise. The trick will be to balance looking at possible events and burning too much time doing this analysis.
- Maintain a big picture check in as you are working on your plan. By looking up periodically you will be able to take a peek at what is ahead of you. Things may have popped up or you may see you are closer to events that you analyzed during making your plan.
- Keep a check on perspective. Again, unexpected events will happen – you can count on that. So when they do happen put emphasis on working through the event, rather than railing against the event happening.
- Adopt a proactive mindset, rather than being reactive. Reactive thinking carries additional stress that can hinder clear thinking. Facing any issue or event early and directly will allow more time to handle the situation.
The only perfect plan is the one on paper. Once execution starts it’s a new game. Remain open to the unexpected, understand things will happen, but prepare yourself to handle them so you can keep moving forward!
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If anyone thinks they’re going to escape “Murphy’s Law,” they’re wrong … 😉 But as an entrepreneur you know it and are ready to turn it around.
Absolutely Sharon! Murphy’s Law WILL happen. The sooner we get used to the idea the quicker we’ll be able to handle any situation that pops up.
Great advice! I love that “the only perfect plan is the one on paper.” Ain’t it the truth? LOL
Hehe. That is what my experience has taught me! 🙂 I have made plenty of perfect plans and non of them happened that exact way.
I agree! You always have to keep in mind that anything can happen, even when it’s not expected.
Just knowing that unexpected things are likely to happen can help in adjusting where needed!
That is great advice. This is a fact of life, the unexpected always happen, even with careful planning. We have to be flexible
Thank you! Flexibility will ensure you can roll with the unexpected and still gain results!
You’ve share some great tips on how to deal with the unexpected. I ve had so many unexpected things happen, that it is beginning to feel normal! Such is life! Things like this will always happen so it’s good to have some tools in place for this time. 🙂
There is great value in looking at unexpected things happening as almost normal! That is really true and prepares you to handle the changes.
I think managing your expectations and perspective on things will get you far in life. I know this simple concept alone will do more good than harm. The fact that so many people are no ok with things that might pop up and they stress over it.
Agreed Nate. Managing expectations and perspectives is so important – in fact critical – to success.
I like “expect the unexpected”. Having the ability to go with change is a conscious habit. A good habit. When people resist change they have upset and frustration instead.
I love that Roz – “… is a conscious habit.” That is a great combination of words. And so true!
You explained it so well! Keeping perspective will carry you through the most trying circumstances. We can’t control what goes on around us but we can control how we react…
So true Norma! I believe that when people stress about the unexpected happening that is exactly what they are trying to do – control what is going on around them. This is in contrast to controlling their reaction which is really the only thing they do have actual control over. Great point!
Great tips and strategies for handling those unexpected things that happen in all of our lives. Sometimes they can really throw you off track so having ways to handle them can make all of the difference. Many times it is not so much the unexpected but much more how we handle it that can turn it from something negative into something positive.
Thank you Meryl. And I totally agree – turning the unexpected into a positive rather than a negative does lie with how we handle it.
I always have a plan B and sometimes a C and D. The unexpected always throws you off, but if you have an alternate plan, it takes the scare out of it. thanks for a great article full of good tips.
Removing the factor of fear (at least as much as possible) is a great strategy! 🙂
Wonderful advice here! We should always expect the unexpected and make changes when necessary. Thank you!
Thank you! The adaptation to these occurrences is key!