When life throws you a big fat sock-her (or sock-him) ball….
Quick, DUCK!
But stay in the game.
Seriously, we have all experienced a fast-moving curve ball that we saw from a mile away, or that we did not expect at all.
It’s our attitude that will break our spirit or carry us through a difficult time.
When a curve ball comes our way, we have two basic options: we can let it slam us to the ground, or we can duck and use the opportunity to learn.
In the business world, a speeding curve ball can actually be a life-saver. Read further to find out what I’m talking about.
Honestly Assess the Situation
Whether or not you saw the sock-her ball coming, it’s important to assess the situation and look at your part. For example, if you lost a client and are not sure why, think about your working relationship.
Were you and the client not a good fit, but you continued the relationship anyway because you needed the money?
Or, did you make some big mistakes, only to realize that the project was out of your league?
It does no good to point your finger at whomever threw that curve ball. Assess the situation through your own eyes and learn from it so that you may better service your current and future clients.
Enjoy a Big Glass of Lemonade
When I was a kid and I complained about things not going the way, my sweet mother used to say, “Well, take those lemons and make some lemonade.”
After you have made that lemonade and downed about half of it, take a look at the glass. Is it half full or half empty?
If you see the glass as half empty, you are focusing on what you do not have. On the other hand, perceiving the glass as half full means you are fully aware of what you do have.
Focus on what you have gained from the arrival of the curve ball, not on what you have lost.
For example, you may have lost a client that was not a good fit but you now have room to take on some new projects. Or, perhaps you made some mistakes with that huge project, but now you know how to change your behavior to produce a better work project.
Stay in the Game and Up the Ante
Now that you have figured out your part in the situation and you see a half-full glass of lemonade, what’s next?
Vow never to give up. Stay in the game and up the ante.
For example, before considering future clients, take time to assess whether you are a good fit. The quality of a working relationship is far more important than money.
If your work product suffered, explore ways to improve performance for future projects. For example, if you were coming up on a deadline and cut corners instead of asking for an extension, learn how to manage you time better. If your work had too many errors, take steps to improve.
Final Words
So, whether life has thrown you a sock-her or sock-him ball, the important thing is to remember, as my mother used to say…….
It’s not the end of the world. This too shall pass.
STROKING THE PEN 