Mother Nature surprised us the other week with so much rain and flooding.   Most of us were not prepared.  It affected us personally, as a community, and our businesses too.  It will take some of us a while to recover.

We do not and often cannot know what will be the next challenge we face.  This latest weather event and flooding in the Houston area is a prime example.   But you can be assured there will be a challenge in your future.  It will test the best of our stamina, ethics, knowledge or skills.   Sometimes it even challenges your heart and you ask yourself, “How can I do more?”

Preparation For Your Next Challenge

Despite not knowing what lies ahead, we can prepare.  Whatever the challenge, in our community, personal lives, or business, it will demand three things:

1.  Effort.  Effort aligned with areas of leverage.  Preparations can include being conscious of the efforts we give to the challenges we already have and know.  What can we learn about leverage points and sustained effort that will prepare us to analyze pressure points and opportunities to give just the right effort with the correct focus?
2. Strategy. Preparing for the next challenge demands analysis of the strategies we already have built and mastered.  These strategies might include such actions as marshaling the energy and will of those around us, building leadership and ownership for action that positions others to engage and act purposefully and responsibly without waiting to be told, and building collaboration skills and behaviors that can be called upon and employed.
3. Resources.  The third element asks us to be aware of tools, processes, support, and partnerships we can bring to the challenge, if necessary.   Simulations of possible scenarios can surface areas of softness and gaps, and provide direction for identification of resources that may need to be secured and positioned for deployment when needed.

In some instances, you may be lucky and know what the next challenge will be before it arrives.  More likely, you will not know in advance. (Let’s hope no more flooding!)  Regardless, you will still need to respond.  When this happens, you will want to place your efforts appropriately, implement the best strategies in the right ways at the right time, and summon the needed resources to amplify your chances of success.