Always Prepare for the Possible
“I always want to know the answer before I hear the question.”
- CoachC
During a weekly call, one of my clients talked about being disappointed that they were not asked to speak at the company’s summit meeting. It was quite an honor to be on stage and would have helped her climb the corporate ladder through name and face recognition with stockholders and the decision makers of the company.
I inquired if she had done everything possible to get on the list, she told me that she had. I then asked what would have been her topic. She went on for 20-minutes about her topic of choice.
I then said, “Did any of that get written down?” There was a pause, and then she said, “No, it doesn’t matter since I’m not going to speak anyway.”
I responded by saying, “Write it down. Prepare like you were going to give it. What’s the cost? Time? A little effort?”
Again, there was silence. She wasn’t buying my suggestion. YET!
I asked, “Might you ever be asked to speak at the Summit in the future?” She spoke right up saying that she hoped to be speaking at next year’s Summit.
That was great. But I wasn’t through. “Will your topic still be viable next year?” She laughed and said, “Of course.”
She then got it. “You’re right. I need to prepare like I’m giving it this year so I’m prepared when my time comes.”
Let me jump three months ahead in time.
On the day of the Summit one of the speakers comes down ill. There was a panic in the conference room. My client raised her hand and said, “I’ll do it.”
And she killed it. She was told that her talk was the best of the entire Summit.
Moral of the Story
Too many, after receiving negative feedback or rejection: shutdown. They throw up their hands and quit.
Why?
Nothing is over until it is truly over.
We become so spun up in our feelings about what just happened that we don’t take the time to plan for what might happen in the future. If we live in the past, we can’t live in the present which will adversely affect our future.
Instead of giving up, give yourself a chance by being prepared for the possible.
Personal Example
In 2000, I was a top name for a top-25 head strength coaching job. When the Director of Football Operations (DFO) from the school called me to inquire if I would be interested in the job, I was ready for it. My resume was sharp. My references were top notch. My plan for the training program was on point.
At the end of the conversation the DFO told me, confidentially, that I was their top choice and that they would pull the trigger (officially offer me the job) after we got back from the Cotton Bowl.
A week later I called the DFO and informed him that I had been diagnosed with cancer, but I wasn’t going to let the diagnosis change the way I went about my work. He thanked me for being open and upfront with him.
I never heard back from that school.
A couple of weeks later I got a call from Pete Carroll. I had all my ducks in a row and was ready for every question and circumstance that he presented to me. By the end of the conversation, I was offered the position. Even with the knowledge of my diagnosis.
Had I not done the work for the first job, I might not have been ready for the life changing opportunity when it came along. I didn’t throw a tantrum. I didn’t throw all my prep work away. I didn’t blame anyone.
Instead, I filed it away and went back to the one thing I controlled, my work ethic. I couldn’t control the other school’s decision to move on from hiring me. I only knew that for some reason it was not the right place.
I kept preparing for my next opportunity, so when it came, I was the most prepared candidate that they would speak to during their hiring process.
Stay Ready
“Opportunity only knocks once” is an old adage that is usually ignored. Instead, when people are presented with an opportunity that they are unprepared for they are not at their best. Because of this they may miss the opportunity to move forward with their career.
I remember chuckling when I heard Marshawn Lynch answer the question, “Are you ready?” with “Ain’t got to get ready, cuz I stay ready.”
I completely agree with Marshawn and support his advice to always be ready for any possible opportunity to present yourself in the best light possible. I like using the phrase, “I want to know the answer before I hear the question.” When we have this mindset, we will give ourselves the best chance to move forward.
So, how do you always know the answer before you hear the question?
· Having your resume up to date.
· Practice answering job interview questions.
· Rehearse a new sales pitch in front of your quarters (people who are willing to tell you the truth)
· Prepare answers for questions you overhear. (If you hear the boss ask a coworker a question – prepare your answer in your head before you are asked the same question.)
· Always have a presentation in the “box”. (Have a quick “go-to” presentation prepared that you can do “cold”.)
· Research new ideas that are being used in your field.
· Stay in communication with people who can help you climb the ladder.
· Become certified in higher levels of training to make yourself more sought-after in the workplace.
· Sit down with your boss and ask them how you can be better at what you are being asked to do.
· Understand the foundation of your career choice so that you know where it started. This way you will know how far it can go and how you can get there before anyone else.
· Cold call / or email people who are on the cutting edge asking to speak with them.
· Outline what you know. Then outline what you don’t understand. Fill in your blanks.
All of these are simple. They may take a little time. They’ll take some effort. But when your time comes you will always be prepared for the possible, no matter how impossible it seems.
Have an amazing day.
