Winging it – on a hope and a prayer
At some point we probably all feel complacent or settled enough to throw plans and procedures by the way side, fly by the seat of our pants, and basically – wing it.
We get comfortable and confident. Every day feels the same as the day before so whats the point in worrying about the fine print?
When our jobs, our careers, our paths tend to take the same route every day, a routine gets established and we tend to let our guard down in some respects.
We know what to expect, when to expect it and how. So we don’t bother getting bogged down with the mundane in between.
Our confidence grows based on the fact that there is no change.
We become masters of consistency.
Even if things change slightly, or an event occurs, if it falls within the same realm as our average everyday, our radar barely even blips. Why plan for the unexpected when the likeliness of something happening is rare?
Possibility and Probability may cross our minds and a brief thought of any potential threats. However as incidents are rare, a plan of action becomes some sort of standard automated response.
A roughly hashed out plan of action that we never intend on using.
Winging it becomes a viable option and a likely course of action.
While the possibility of any threat or issue occurring that doesn’t actually have your standard run of the mill response, is low – having a solid plan in place that is fully tailored and customized to the event, and or potential VIP should be mandatory.
Not just something made up as you go along.
In the event of a real emergency or threat, knowing exactly what to do, where to go, and who to notify is imperative to your success.
Complacency will only get you so far.
Hopes and dreams can only get you so far.
Having a plan of action to get you to the finish is what makes those hopes and dreams a reality.
No one wants to think of worst case scenario. No one wants to face it, and certainly no one wants to deal with it.
Last week in the US, families were out shopping. Groceries, back to school, necessities, basic errands.
They had no plan B. They were going out to grab milk, backpacks, pencils.
They had no reason for plan B.
It wasn’t their job to worry about the what ifs. There are people in place to worry about these things.
If the people in place did their jobs based on a hope and a prayer and didn’t have a plan for action – things could have been a lot worse.
There are reasons plans are made.
There are reasons why plans are made for minor things, and especially reasons for larger scale incidents.
Things happen. Being complacent isn’t going to solve anything.
Putting thoughts and feet in action is integral. It could be the matter of life and death.
In the case of the shooting in Ohio on August 4th, were it not for having people and plans in place, things could have been tremendously worse.
In the matter of 32 seconds, lives changed. But because of people on guard, being watchful, and putting plans to action, lives were saved.
Being comfortable is fine. Becoming complacent has its place.
Routine is great.
But knowing what you’re going to do when it all hits the fan is what takes you from ordinary – to extraordinary.
Take your hopes and dreams and put them to action.
Have plans and don’t be afraid to use them.
Be extraordinary.
Guest Blogger Rayna Davies
Rayna Davies is a graduate and practitioner of Business Management. She has developed an expertise in blogging, covering subjects like travel, world events and security. Having grown up with a father who has developed an expertise in Physical Security and Executive Protection in the RCMP and two major corporations, she has personally observed and 
experienced many security details. These experiences have included personally meeting HM Queen Elizabeth, Prime Minister Jean Chretien and many celebrities. She presently assists Sentinel Security in Executive Protection workshops and guest blogging and also assists Gloprosec Preventative Services in Intelligence gathering and Business Administration. Her passions include World travel, having visited every continent.
