​I live in Colorado, where the temperature fluctuates – a lot. So when the weather changes, and I have an extra layer at the ready…that’s a big win! Who came prepared? This guy!
 
It’s a great lesson for the workplace, too. How prepared are we for the unexpected on the job?
 
Most of us, most of the time, only prepare for the most likely outcome. We think we know how the day or the meeting will go, and when it goes exactly that way, our limited prep pays off.
 
But when the unexpected happens? Well, that’s when we reassure ourselves with thoughts of “who could have seen that coming?” or “no one expected that!”
 
But c’mon…we’re better than that. Let’s hold ourselves to higher standards. The question we should ask is, “Why wasn’t I prepared for the unexpected?”
 
This is a great test of professional maturity. Do we plan for the full gamut of possible outcomes, not merely the most likely? When things go south, are we ready? If not, this needs to become our new standard.
 
Nothing illustrates professionalism more than achieving desired results amid undesirable conditions.

• In football, it’s called a “broken play.”
• In theater, it’s called “powering through.”
• In volleyball, it’s called “playing out of system.”
• In parenting, it’s called “every moment of every day.”

 
In other words, the unexpected must be on our list of expected outcomes!

• When a client is unhappy with our delivery
• When a teammate reacts poorly to coaching
• When a boss is critical of our execution

 
Call these unlikely…but we mustn’t claim they’re unfair or unexpected.
 
And let’s teach our teams an important rule: When we’re planning…discussing eventualities, no one is ever allowed to say “Oh, that will never happen.”
 
If we arrive prepared, we’ll depart fulfilled!

​Who’s up for a Super Bowl Mindfulness Challenge? Super Bowl parties are fascinating because so many of us feel the need to announce – emphatically – our dislikes:

• What a terrible commercial!
• This team has no running game!
• Why would you pay $8 million to run that ad!?
• Why wouldn’t you blitz on that play!?
• Why would you blitz on that play!?
• Bad Bunny was a horrible choice!

(Is there any greater national pastime than we men criticizing the half-time performer?)
 
My point is not to mock and ridicule every critical opinion this Sunday. But from a mindfulness perspective, the day presents an opportunity to be more aware of how we express ourselves.

• What image do we project when prominently and predominantly declaring our dislikes?
• Do we want to focus on what repels us or attracts us?
• Are we defined by exasperation or appreciation?

 
Don’t overreact here. This challenge is not about being uptight or reticent. It’s about being aware of what we say…and if our speech reflects who we want to be.
 
If you’re a fan of mindfulness…if you’re trying to be more present or intentional…if you’re fond of the “scarcity vs. abundance mindset” philosophy, this challenge checks all those boxes.
 
So, if you’re attending a Super Bowl party, I hope you find exactly what you desire, and may any displeasures be fleeting.