Out of the Crisis.Org

[Louis Altazan]

Dogs normally only live a fraction of a human’s life, maybe twelve to sixteen years. Someone once told me, that’s all they need, because they don’t waste any of it worrying about the future. People on the other hand, spend a great deal of time worrying about things that usually never come to pass.

This is not to suggest we shouldn’t plan. On the contrary, proper planning eliminates a good deal of needless worry. Proper planning also greatly increases the chances of success. What is of no help is worry. The difference in worry and planning can be subtle, but is very important.

Planning is thinking through scenarios, that are likely to occur and developing workable solutions. Worrying is imagining the worse and fretting over it, as though it has already happened. One is beneficial the other useless.

For example, we may plan for a down turn in sales. We hope it will not happen, but if it did we have a list of things to implement. We consider what might be done, the cost of doing it and how we might know if it is effective. Not only are we prepared, but we can use many of the same plans to increase sales when desired.

Worry on the other hand is a fear of what could happen if sales took a down turn. This can result in failure to upgrade and invest, which may even bring about the downturn. Sort of a self fulfilling prophesy.

When truly considered there is far more we do not control than there is that we do. Planning is for the things we can affect. Do that and live the best you can, the rest is not worth worry. Life is good, just ask your dog.

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Louis Altazan
Owner/Manager AGCO Automotive Corporation
Baton Rouge, LA