What Works: Preparedness vs. Complacency

The recent flooding was devastating for some, inconvenient for others. What was the difference? Of course, flood zoning played a large role. But even those in flood areas were better off because of a single mindset, preparedness.
I was personally impressed by the local response.

The videos by our mayor Bob Crowell and the disaster preparedness teams were exactly what people needed to see. Some were on the fence about the weather. But once Governor Sandoval stressed the state of emergency, it was hard to ignore. Sandbag locations were set up. Communication was consistent and accurate. For those who remained conscious, it wasn’t as bad as it could have been.

I was a little shaken when I heard about people being complacent about the flood. I was nervous for a few friends who took it upon themselves to be Facebook Live reporters in Reno. One of them was standing in the flood water! The other was standing at the edge of the Truckee River when it crested.

Preparedness versus complacency carries over as a theme into business and life. We can choose to prepare ourselves. Or, we can sit stunned as we get washed away in a preventable circumstance.

The scary thing about complacency is it can set in and we don’t even know its settling in our minds. We wake up a little later. We eat a little less healthy. We let an employee who is consistently late to work take pass after pass. We give on the little things until they become big things. Suddenly, we are without defense. Now our sleep schedule is all messed up. Our diets are a mess and we have put on 10 pounds. Our employee is now calling off work and has no respect for the manager they report to.

Complacency snowballs into avoidable problems. Yes, avoidable. Now, I’m not saying floods are avoidable. However, there are two types of people.

Person #1: Someone who gets sandbags and stocks up on supplies to stay at home 24 to 48 hours.

Person #2: One who thinks the “weather people have gotten it wrong so why bother.”

The first person is taking action, engaging in preparedness not knowing the outcome. The second person assumes it’s all going to be all right. And, maybe it will be. But they roll the dice unnecessarily. As a result, they may drive in flood water and get stuck. The power goes out and they could be sitting in the dark.

Think, when has this been a metaphor for your own complacency? Do you have bills to pay? Is there something in your business infrastructure you have been overlooking? Perhaps you haven’t had time to explore business partnerships.

Maybe you have been considering joining organizations for networking. Or perhaps you need to hire a coach to help you sandbag and fix your business issues. The hot question is this. What are you doing about it? Are you prepared to take action?

This week’s exercise: Recall when you were prepared versus when you were complacent. What was the result? How did you fare during the flood? What side of the line did you fall on? Post your answer in the comments below.

EMBRACE CHANGE IN 2017
January 21, 2017: Paradise Salon Spa and Wellness Fair – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Paradise Salon Spa and Wellness http://www.paradisesalonspawellness.com/

February 2, 2017: Vision Board and Vision Statements Workshop hosted by The Sophisticates Networking Group – Email diane@whatworkscoaching.com for details.

What Works Coaching
Diane Dye Hansen is the Chief Inspiration Officer of What Works Coaching, an individual and organizational coaching and consulting firm based in Carson City. She has 20 years of experience working with top corporations, growing businesses, motivated entrepreneurs, and individuals hungry for a fresh start. Diane holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Marketing from Cal State San Bernardino. She is also a candidate for a Master’s degree in Communications Management from the University of Southern California. Her column appears every Monday, and sometimes Tuesday, in Carson Now.