From Day-to-Day

Subtitle: Taking the challenge as it comes

We all have on-days and off-days.  As we used to say, using a car engine metaphor, we begin facing a day hopefully running on all 8 cylinders but find if we are not in good tune running perhaps on 7 or even 5.  But we’re still running. 

Symptoms for off-days could be:

• Low energy

• Being tired

• Being easily distracted by other concerns—losing focus

• Feeling environmental or situational changes militate against you

• Being injured or not well:  again, not 100% or even 50%

• Being required to do what you are not trained or accustomed to doing

• Making poor response to extraordinary demands or circumstances

What to do?

• Take stock of your stock at the moment.  Be realistic, but know that you usually have reserves or abilities that go beyond what you perceive.  Keep the engine running and thc car (you) moving; don't just park if faced with a challenge. 

• Know your limitations and do not jeopardize yourself by attempting to go beyond them unless it for survival in extremity.

• Do something else that day if you can--and you'll find you CAN.  You may be better prepared the next day.  If not . . .

• Approach the same challenge differently if you can’t do the above.  Above all, don’t just let down; do what you can with what you’ve got.

For future days--

• Prepare yourself for inevitable emergencies—have supplies, gear, etc., on hand.  Take an inventory of what you've got and what you need. 

• Develop some extraordinary helping skills (first aid, leadership, situational analysis, counseling) well before a bad day comes for yourself or others who may need to count on you.  Find some way to be useful.

• Know how to enlist the help of others.  Build a network of potential resources.  Know how to access them immediately if necessary. Likewise, be willing and able to help others on their ‘off-days.’

• Have a plan A (your ideal); plan B (a workable alternative); plan C (for the worst scenario).  Review and practice your plan(s).

• Try to anticipate what might happen or has happened to others less prepared.  Ask yourself, “What could happen?”  Then ask, “What needs to happen now?”

• Have the self-discipline to achieve an optimum physical fitness and mental toughness (through diet, enough sleep, physical fitness exercise, and practice going beyond your comfort level).

• Go on the offense before you are forced to go defensive. Be proactive. Determine to act rather than being acted upon.  IT ALL TAKES FORETHOUGHT and PLANNING. 

Remember always:

“If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear.”

“Now, go forth—dress this garden (this life you've been given); take good care of        it . . . .” 

 Yes, from day-to-day.