When we were toddlers everything was new and exciting. Luckily (and tragically) we have since learned life’s patterns and therefore live in a relatively predictable word – the sun will rise and they screw you at the drive-thru.
Therefore, I am fascinated by how often we are completely unprepared for life’s most predictable events.
We continually cross the street just to get our ass kicked.
Somebody will be driving slowly in the left lane when you are in hurry. This WILL happen – today, tomorrow, ?? . .. but it will.
This an example of the “not if but when“ events of your life.
We often respond to these events with anger, frustration, and disgust which chip away at our soul.
Why are we wholly unprepared for these events? Do you we respond the same way when the sun sets, the grass grows, or Kanye West opens his mouth?
No, we don’t.
Generals prepare for enemy tactics, football coaches prepare for defensive ploys, and gazelles plan for lion attacks. Why shouldn’t you prepare for the battles of your life?
Think of something that you KNOW will happen. (ex: being cut off in traffic) Consider how you would ideally respond to that situation. How would you PREFER to respond and SELECT that response.
Take some time – five minutes, at most – and play that scenario with your selected response over and over and over … Until it becomes annoying.
You will not be transformed into a Buddhist Monk that has captured nirvana, but you will improve your ability to respond more graciously and effectively to life’s predictable events.
Start small, expect failure but keep trying. You are a four-star General at war … Plan, act, assess, repeat … You will notice a positive difference immediately