Mike sat down on the floor of the crowded gymnasium. He was preparing for his wrestling match and running through his regular warmups and stretches. Then he saw them, Phil and Bobby coming up between the mats straight toward him. Rivals since grade school, these two were his nemesis. They had tormented him at every match their rival school attended. Along with being formidable opponents, their comments, and gestures could be ANTICIPATED, and always upset their rivals.
Mike ANTICIPATED their particular brand of insults most days. However, today was special, it was the high school state finals, there were some scouts there from a couple of top universities, and Phil, the best in his class, was matched ironically with Mike to wrestle within the hour.
Phil started with his “red head” insults, and worked his way right to his infamous“yo mama” routine, rounding out his verbal barrage with the intent of getting into Mike’s head. Afterward he continued with a “top 10 list” of why Mike shouldn’t be in the same building as him.
Mike’s ANTICIPATION might have worked him up to counter with insults, gestures and rebuttals. Instead Mike just smiled and used a humor redirection to lighten the mood by saying, “Yea, my dog would say the same thing if he could talk. Of course if he could talk I’d be rich, and in another state wrestling someone else today. Guess it’s your lucky day…”
Phil and Bobby were caught off balance and muttered something rude as they pushed past. Phil said, “ See you in the ring we’ll settle this there.”
By the time Phil entered the ring he was visibly wound as tight as a clock spring. Mike on the other hand just smiled and offered his hand in the traditional hand shake gesture before the match started. Phil knocked his hand out of the way, and the referee immediately signaled to start.
Mike ANTICIPATED almost everything including Phil’s over confident attack. With a single leg inside rip Phil hit the mat hard, and Mike was on him for the pin. The crowd went wild. Winner!
In life how often do we know what might be coming? Yet how often do we use our super powers of ANTICIPATION to calm ourselves, and get in our “good place,” powerfully prepared to win, calmly, peacefully, and easily.
Next time you face an ANTICIPATED conflict consider using the time to wind down, not wind up, and center yourself for winning the conflict before it starts…
Allen Hughes Life Defense Coach
#lifedefense #anticipate #allenhughes
