Making the Best of the Way Things Turn Out

The delta variant. Automotive plant shutdowns. Order-to-delivery delays.

So much is in flux right now. And that’s when uncertainty and anxiety often begin to deplete our energy and cloud our judgment.

But in times like these, I’m reminded of a powerful quote by the legendary basketball coach John Wooden, who said, “Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.”

Ride the Forces, Don’t Fight Them
The lesson here: You can’t control the market, supply chain issues, public health policy, the pandemic and many other external forces that could impact your success in managing your fleet.

But you can control how you respond to those forces – to channel whatever energy comes your way into something good that positions you for career growth.

Think about it. A 20-foot wave terrifies the average beachgoer, but it thrills a professional surfer who transforms that wave’s overwhelming power into a stage for performing breathtaking maneuvers – like an artist on the water.

It’s a matter of perspective. So, resist the temptation to complain about external forces you have no control over.

Instead, be ready to take on whatever comes your way. Learn how to ride the wave and harness its energy – before it crashes on you – to build momentum for your long-term success.

Ask yourself questions like, what limiting attitudes or beliefs about current challenges are holding me back from achieving my career goals? What changes do I need to make to get back on track toward my goals? What are my most significant challenges in this environment – and what potential opportunities can I find in them? How can I convert the negative energy I feel into productive action?

The Bottom Line
When you deal with things as they are, not as you wish they would be, you’ll be in the right mindset to, as Coach Wooden put it, “make the best of the way things turn out.”

Sean M. Lyden
Editor

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