Anticipation

I'm trying to recall what family member introduced me to the word "anticipation." There are certain words that are vital to existence and anticipation is one of them, we've all learned sometimes the hard way.

If you are a mother, then you understand that anticipation may mean, preparing the food in anticipation of a screaming, hungry baby. Timing is everything, allowing for heating and cooling. Some children unfortunately do not have wise parents and all must participate in the end result, unpleasantness.

Anticipation usually prevents the unpleasantness that can result in something that was not thought out well. When I was in sales, meetings would be held to review changes in anticipation of any possible problem solving need involved with introducing the smallest implementation of an idea. This fact-finding method was utilized to squash any situation that may have resulted in failure. Sometimes it was the smallest thing someone forgot which would have had a negative impact on that endeavor.

While it is true that you cannot anticipate all possible negative interactions, generally you can catch a few, saving time and embarrassment and ill feelings that are usually the result of something done last minute and not thought out.

I attended a meeting recently and suggested that we implement this action called, anticipating problems. I was shot down pretty quickly by someone who had the idea that we should just delve into it then, correct anything that may have gone wrong after the fact. I don't agree with that theory. That's the kind of action you take when you don't have time to analyze. Quick action sometimes is necessary to save then you deal with the problems. Doing it that way, the hard way, does not allow for cost savings, and perhaps will end up "costing you," in more than one way.

Avoid egg on your face, anticipate. Mull over, be a clear thinking person, invite others to help, and use the brain that God gave you. I am so grateful for that person who taught me to anticipate. I wish that I could correct my impulsive behavior at times, yet, that isn't as bad as a procrastinator. A procrastinator is a person who doesn't know what it is like to anticipate, and "almost always" finds themselves close to the failure that they do not deserve, just because they haven't learned a simple method of anticipation, and just toss it out there, come what may.

In the future, if you want better result, anticipate.