What is your contingency?

We are living in a time that provides more questions than answers, more risks than security. Are you prepared?

Football is a great analogy of life. From High School to the pros, most every team has a detailed game plan. And in every football game, there is at least one (usually many more) plays where that detailed game plan fails. The great teams are able to see the failure then quickly look for opportunities to overcome. The great quarterbacks can audible. An audible is a change of the called play to take advantage of the defense.

Are you prepared to audible in your life? Do you have a contingency plan? If not, I encourage you to prepare a list of what you would do if you lost your job.

1. Have a list of people you would contact, ask for letters of reference, use your network to get the word out that you are available. Now, is not the time to hide.

2. Go for a run, work-out, do something to clear your mind. Yes, there will probably be anger - but anger is not going to serve you right now. Chances are, your company did not want to make this move either, stay calm and let them help you as much as possible.

3. Read your "atta boy/girl" file. If you don't have one of these, you need to start keeping one. When you get a thank you card, a job well done email, etc -- keep it in a file. When you start doubting yourself, pull out that file and read it.

4. Keep up your routine. Sleeping and lounging all day is not going to help you. Keep up a schedule, go volunteer, stay moving, stay focused, and stay active.

5. Keep your resume updated. (I would do this on your own time and your own computer)

Having a contingency plan is like a smoke alarm, I hope you never use it, but it just makes you feel more secure. Good companies make tough decisions every single day and it is vital that the companies remain strong. To do that, at times there has to be cuts. If you happen to fall victim to those cuts, you are going to bounce back quicker if you have a plan.

The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo at www.bransonbusiness.blogspot.com then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.