The hot August sun was starting to make itself known as morning advanced. There were just a few plays to go until the first Freshman inter-squad scrimmage of the season would be over. Small groups of parents along the sideline idly watched and talked as we all came to the realization that summer was officially over. It was now Texas high school football season and we were it’s newest fans.
Our big strong running back was coming free out of the backfield just off the outside corner. “CRACK!”. Violently, the sound of football gear coming together with great force rang out. It’s a noise that instantly pushes adrenaline into the veins of coaches and dad’s alike. In an instant, the running back was on the ground.
The coach yells out “who was that?”. The strong safety raises his hand and says “me, Coach”. “Schulz? Good job.” Coach says, “Way to come downstream and make a play!”.
In my financial planning practice we call it a Moment of Truth, or MOT for short. When a client dies, the market tanks, or a complex transition is underway, that’s when we come downstream and make a play.
BE PREPARED
It’s hard to know when these Moments of Truth will occur so we have to be ready. Daniel spent his summer working out and running track. He knew he would have be in top shape for a chance to get noticed at one of the largest high schools in the state. The first week of practice went well, but there had been few opportunities to stand out, so Daniel came up with a strategy.
HAVE A PLAN
To perform in the moment, we must have a plan. Daniel’s strategy was to get noticed during the first scrimmage in full pads by demonstrating his desire and aggression. The kid is solid muscle and he can hit with surprising force due to his body density and speed.
PERFORM
Anticipation with the expectation of greatness is the hardest part of executing when your moment comes. I believe this is where most people fall short. As humans, we have a tendency to freeze up, or avoid the situation. I think it’s fear of what is at risk that causes us to falter at the most critical time. Daniel didn’t freeze up because he was thinking this was his moment to succeed, not an opportunity to fail. He can take that attitude into other parts of his life and enjoy many winning moments.
None of us know exactly when our next Moment of Truth will come. Are we ready? Do we have a plan? Most importantly, do we possess the mental attitude and guts to make it happen? We all have what it takes. If we are prepared and have a plan then it’s just a matter coming downstream to make the play.
RS
