Flowing Upstream

A lot of times, people will tell you that life is all about timing, but, through personal experiences, I would like to say that life, whether it's in relation to work, school, or friendships and relationships, is actually more about agility and flexibility then timing. Yes, sometimes it is being about being in the right place at the right time, but most of the time, things will only happen if you can roll with the punches and work with what you're given. Maybe this is just my "glass half empty" ethos coming out right now, but I've always been taught that you always have to be prepared to do things the hard way... by yourself... while walking up mountain... in a blizzard. Alright, well maybe that's being a little overdramatic, but I'm sure you get the point.  


Ever had it where you got all the good professors for every class you needed at all the time slots you wanted? Yea, me neither. Was it because you overslept? Had a bad registration time? Were just totally unprepared to schedule when you should have? Maybe it was one or a mixture of many of those things, but if you had back up plans and a willingness to make it happen, you still end up having a decent schedule for the next semester.  


You know that awesome job you wanted so bad that everyone knew you were a shoe-in for? Yea, sorry that went to someone "more experienced with better qualifications", but you did get offered something way down on the food chain. Gonna take it or do you have too much pride for the gesture of "sympathy"? Well that's pretty easy. If you want something bad enough, you should do everything and anything to prove yourself. 


Is that perfect, hunky "Mr. Right" you met at The Boot last semester is going abroad next semester, just a few days before the sorority party he was supposed to be your date for? Well I guess that sucks, it's definitely going to be hard to find another man willing to dress up in a Clifford the Big Red Dog costume for you on such short notice. 


Could all of these things been avoided if timing was different? of course. But can you control everything in life? No. Take a more challenging professor, try a different job or a different path to the same goal, thing of a new costume idea for your date; don't hope to be dealt a perfect hand, just deal with the cards you are handed the best you can. Nothing will ever be perfect because life just tends to fluctuate and go up and down with no rhyme or reason. Treat it like a roller coaster, I mean, no one ever complains about a day at Six Flags, right? Have fun with things but still succeed by being able to think on your feet and forging a path if necessary. Perfect opportunities hardly ever just land in your lap, at least not for me, which I've actually learned to appreciate. It's made me stronger, more innovative, quick-witted, malleable; all things that I'm able to use every day to improve my life. As Gary Ryan Blair, a nationally recognized authority on goal setting and personal strategic planning, once said, "You cannot afford to wait for perfect conditions. Goal setting is often a matter of balancing timing against available resources. Opportunities are easily lost while waiting for perfect conditions." To me that means, do what you can, when you can. Don't waste so much time waiting around, if you miss a second, you could miss a lot.