Better plan on a contingency plan

Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson was once asked if he was concerned about an opponent’s plan for their upcoming fight. Tyson said, “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”

Tyson was offering an updated approach on another famous quote from Scottish author Robert Burns. “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry. No matter how carefully a project is planned, something may still go wrong with it.”

Hence the need for a contingency plan.

In Wikipedia, contingency plan is defined as “a plan devised for an outcome other than in the usual plan. It’s often used for risk management for an exceptional risk that, though unlikely, would have catastrophic consequences. Contingency plans are often devised by governments or businesses.”

Some would say contingency planning isn’t done often enough in a world that until recently had come to favor instant feedback if not instant results, and learning through failure rather than pondering the question, ‘What if…?’

In the book ‘Beyond Grit,’ author Cindra Kamphoff encourages readers to “Dominate The Controllables.” In other words, take care of those things you can control. But, rather than simply shrugging your shoulders at those things you can’t control, like the weather, stalled traffic or the reactions of others, Dr. Kamphoff encourages you to have a contingency plan.

It’s at this point where other books may move on to the next subject, but it’s here that Dr. Kamphoff doubles down by showing you how to think about and create your own contingency plan.

First, discover the difference between a problem and an imperfection. Learn the most common ‘imperfections’ to be aware of and how they might manifest into your next big event.

The whole point of having a contingency plan is to help you stay on task when the unforeseen suddenly surfaces. In chapter 26 of ‘Beyond Grit,’ and in episode 26 of the Beyond Grit Podcast, you learn how to not only stay on-task but also how to confront life’s imperfections and remain confident, focused and calm.

It’s by responding with purpose and intention that you stay in control of your attitude and effort, so you can dominate like the world’s best!