By: Brittany DiRaddo from TETON Sports
As a mother of three kids under the age of 7, I try my best not to leave things to chance. I pack snacks – ALWAYS (seriously, even if we’re going around the corner). I bring jackets, extra diapers, water, books, toys, basically anything and everything they could ever want. When I don’t do this, my life is SO much harder. The constant whining that follows when I’m unprepared is enough to make me go crazy. Mom, Mom, Mom, Mom, Momma, Mommy, Mom, Mom…. I’m thirsty. I’m hungry. I’m bored. I forgot to bring shoes. I’m cold. I’m hot. I’m tired. I want my blanket. I forgot to bring my jingle puppy. I’ve learned this lesson OVER and OVER again, the hard way, by being unprepared and leaving too much to chance.
In my job, I’ve learned the same lesson, albeit slightly less aggressively, but still the hard way. I’ve sent e-mails knowing I was probably assuming things or guessing. I’ve pushed aside initiatives I wanted to take because no one was “asking me”. I’ve even let my emotions get the best of me and handled interactions poorly knowing that I was leaving the outcome up in the air. I’ve left things to chance. Every time I’ve done this, it’s come back to bite me. Not only has it created more work for me, but it’s brought on frustration for the other person who was waiting for or counting on ME.
What’s a girl to do? I’ve really learned that overcommunicating, overexplaining, over questioning, and preparing have made my job easier and taken LESS work in the long run. What? Less work? Yes! Bother with the details! It makes things so much easier. I don’t leave things to chance anymore. I get any and all information I need, I prepare, I communicate, and I’m happier for it. I bring the extra blanket even when my kids don’t ask, I grab the extra hair tie (knowing full well she’ll pull out her pony tail in the car), I bring EXTRA goldfish for when they inevitably spill. I use zip locks instead of snack containers so there isn’t fighting about who gets what color. I always grab extra wipes, jackets (but Mom I’m not even cold), and shoes (I thought they were in the car).
At work, I just be persistent. I take initiative, I try to walk into meetings or interactions with as much information as I can, or I ask questions when I need to. It has really been a much more positive way to operate and has increased my job performance and satisfaction. It feels good to do things 110%. Running on a system where you’re in charge and not letting your effort level or emotions run you is far more empowering. Knowledge really is power, a SUPERPOWER! So when you’re wondering if you should double check a piece of information because you don’t want to keep “bothering” people, remember that in the long run it’s much more a bother to have gotten it wrong the first time (both for you and them). Save yourself the extra work and do it right by leaving NOTHING to chance. Also, always check for both shin guards BEFORE you leave for the soccer game.
About the Author:
Brittany DiRaddo
Brittany is a shining star at TETON Sports. She is inspiring, friendly, supportive, and a valued member of the TETON family.
