3 Lessons from a 5-Hour Rain Delay at Texas Motor Speedway

[9:00am – 4 hours to race time]

Rain is in the forecast, the western radar is very colorful – yes, rain is a high likelihood this raceday morning.  But at this point, if you haven’t planned for rain, it’s too late to position yourself for a dry track.  However, jet dryers were present at Texas Motor Speedway from racetracks across the country, ready to go, because with 90% humidity and full cloud cover, the track isn’t going to dry itself if it does rain.

[10:00am – 3 hours to race time] – The storm is building but might go south.

[11:00am – 2 hours to race time] – The storm is heading further north straight toward the track; Jake Owen takes the stage for pre-race entertainment.

[12:00pm – 1 hour to race time]  – The storm is breaking apart and will likely miss the track; Chuck Norris leads driver introductions.

[1:00pm – race time!] – Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem, F4 Phantom flyover

You can’t let the possibility of facing difficulties keep you from carrying forward with your purpose.  Do not let fear and anxiety paralyze you before you even have a change to succeed or fail.  Be willing to fail by understanding that failure is where the greatest learning occurs and where great successes can be born.  The bible tells us not to be anxious about the future [Matthew 6:34], and not to be anxious about anything [Philippians 4:6].  Whether you are Christian or not, you can recognize that anxiety holds us back and keeps us from moving forward in our purpose.  If your purpose is to host a race, and it’s not raining, you’d better be racing.  Plan for the challenge and deal with it if and when it comes, but don’t let it keep you from living out your purpose.  You cannot adjust to the circumstances if you are not already in motion.

[1:05pm] – Rain comes in, fans scramble to find dry shelter, cars are pushed onto pit road.

[1:25pm] – Rain ends and the drying begins (but at least the Dallas Cowboys game is on the big screen).

[6:45pm – yes, over 5 hours later] – Cars pull out on the track for several slow laps under yellow to determine the drivable condition of the track.  Race begins under a green/yellow start.

If you are a race car driver, you drive.  If you are a business leader, you lead.  The circumstances are not always going to be perfect, and at times you may plan for a dry surface in the day and instead be given a marginal surface at night.  Turn the lights on (see your vision), find your traction (adjust your plan), and go!  No one ever won a race watching from the pits, and you will never succeed in life, never fulfill your purpose, never serve others without taking chances.

So what is your track?  Is it an online business, a technology venture?  Maybe it’s adopting a baby, coaching a fatherless boy, or bringing hope to the incarcerated.  Maybe it’s getting out of bed each day and visiting the criticism that awaits.  Whatever your drive in life, remember to always prepare, execute, and move forward.

I’d love to hear how planning and execution strategies affect your work.