Life is like a carnival ride

It’s almost the end of 2024, Halloween is over and New Year’s Eve will be here before you know it.  This week let’s talk about being prepared.

Do you feel your life is like a carnival ride, spinning you in circles and running fast around sharp turns?  Are you running around putting out fires all day long?  Is life leading you or are you leading life?

Some people just never seem to be able to get ahead of the game. 

This may be because they are taking a REactive approach to life.  They go about their day and handle things as they pop up, as opposed to anticipating and planning.  People who take the PROactive approach to life are often prepared for most situations before they come up.    Which type of person are you?

Interestingly enough, “Be Proactive” is habit #1 from Steve Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  I would guess that means it’s a pretty important habit to have – grin.

How do you become PROactive? 

As I mentioned above, anticipate and plan.  For example:

·         If you are traveling – pack your meds in your carry on (in case your checked bags get lost, you aren’t panicking because you don’t have your meds)

·         If you need money for college – start researching grants/scholarships the summer before your senior year (many grants/scholarships need to be filed by February 1st)

·         If you aren’t ready to start a family – do something about that (don’t leave it up to chance)

·         If you are going out drinking – have a Designated Driver or plan to call a cab (instead of taking a chance driving)

·         If you can’t swim – wear a lifejacket on the boat (instead of somehow ending up in the water freaking out)

·         If you are in a car – buckle your seatbelt (many traffic fatalities can be prevented by wearing a seatbelt)

Some of you are looking at this list like, “Well, yeah,”  while others are thinking, “Oh.”  These things may seem common sense to some, yet others have never really considered it.  That is the difference between being REactive and PROactive.  It’s a mindset and takes some practice at first, but keep at it and it will become habit for you.