Prepare to win

  You have to, you know. If you don't take the time to know what you are going to do when you win then you will face the same kind of dilemma as those who fail to plan (plan to fail by default). As silly as this may sound, you have to know what to 'do' with your win (whether it is the battle or the war) and what you do next. We all can get so involved in the 'battle' that when it is over we seem to act a bit stunned and a tad disoriented.


  Another component in preparing to win is your ability and alertness to address those issues that always arise unbidden to delay or defeat your win. Do you have contingency plans available if plan A doesn't provide the best path to success? Is your team (even if this is only you) focused on success but able to meet any challenging obstacles and not waste time in denying them? There are multiple aspects that have to be considered when you set forth to succeed in (fill in the blank).

  Expressing our 'how-we-handle-a-win' is also important because it will demonstrate to others what they need to do when they win, as well as 'how' to win. Simple example: were others involved in your win, the success? If so, do you accept all the acclaim or do you share it with those who contributed? Will you want their involvement in the future (on-going or new project)? If so, then 'the little people' should be acknowledged and meant to share in the success. Obvious? No, sharing is never obvious and sometimes not even thought about or expressed. 

  I do realize that there is always a bit of time to savor the win, but remember that you never have the luxury to rest on your laurels - this will fade. Is the 'win' a one and done? If so, what is the plan for the next project? If it is part of a larger plan then how long before you need to start the new process? Life is never stagnant. There's always new vistas to see, discover, and conquer (?). Do you have a 5 year plan or 10 year - do your projects tend toward the short-term or grow into long-term? Have you taken the time to know what you are going to do now that you have achieved success?

  I've used succeed and win interchangeably because this is how we tend to think. Success is always equated with win, as failure is to loss. However, a failure can be an impetus to continue to find 'the answer'. Too often we don't use success in the same fashion. Too often a win signals an end. It shouldn't. It should always be the foundation from which to begin a new...