You Can’t Predict … But You Can Prepare

I once saw a television advertisement for a financial services company that used the following slogan: You can’t predict, but you can prepare.

Naturally I thought about this phrase in the context of racing. Racing may be one of the more “unpredictable” forms of sports, which no doubt becomes a source of constant frustration to drivers and crew chiefs alike. I know this is true because I am often the one called upon to settle some of stressfulness during many of those times of frustration.

While it is true that there are many reliable realities in racing and numerous constants which enable our racers to perform consistently, the greatest frustration comes when things do not always go according to the formulas that seem to work most of the time.

Every team strives for consistency, but it may be the unpredictable nature of racing that causes us to love it so much. It certainly underscores the challenge that racing provides.

Because of the unpredictability of racing, teams prepare for the unknown. Precautions are taken, drivers are forewarned, and the teams hope (and pray?) that there has been sufficient preparation to overcome any unusual (and unwanted) scenario.

Life is much the same. We cannot accurately predict the course of our life. We cannot predict what things we will encounter in the future, what challenges may confront us, or what crises may seek to cripple us. But we can prepare.

A number of years ago I heard the story about an old sea captain, and this story has been a constant source of inspiration and motivation to me ever since. This captain’s old sea vessel encountered a severe storm which was threatening the safety of the ship and its crew. As the storm increased in its ferocity, the deck hands began to fear for their lives. On the verge of panicking, they sought assistance from the captain, but he was nowhere to be found. Soon they discovered that the captain was relaxing in his quarters below deck.

The crew approached the captain with fear and trembling, stunned (and somewhat angered) by his obvious calmness. When challenged as to why he did not appear more concerned, his answer was simple and succinct. He calmly said, “I did my praying before the storm when the seas were still calm.”

What about your life today? When was the last time you made an effort to consider your existence and your future and the degree of readiness and preparation that you have developed within your life? Let us be fully prepared for those things in life which we cannot predict. Don’t be caught off guard. Be wise. Be responsible. Be prepared.

Ken Owen