The Power of Anticipation

Gretzky wasn’t the biggest, strongest or fastest player on the ice. His advantage was his ability to be where the puck is going. To do so, you need to stop reacting and start anticipating.

In business those who anticipate will dominate. What’s happening with your clients, the economy, competition? Business owners need to run 2 business. The one you run today and the business that you are becoming. Business leaders who will look at what’s around the corner are the ones that will thrive and grow.
 
6 skills to master this principle of anticipation:
 
1. Adopt a New Belief System.
Have the mindset that not only is change inevitable but that it is to your advantage. The power rankings get reshuffled each time that the rules of the game are changing.
 
2. Be Forward Thinking.
Don’t make the mistake of trying to anticipate tomorrow by looking at yesterday. What works for you today may not work for you tomorrow. We are in an age where technology is causing gigantic size transformations. Over the next 5-10 years technology will make things look like magic.
 
3. Be Aware of Technology Shifts.
You need to be aware of the changes in your environment, particularly in technology. Artificial intelligence and robotics will upend society very quickly. You need to recognize opportunities or disruption that technological advancement can bring. Participating in Tech shifts, not just protecting yourself from them, can make way for your impact in the world. 
 
4. Hire the Right People.
Make it a point to surround yourself with smart people. Hire people who can help rather than be helpers.
 
5. Build an Effective Group of Advisors.
They will help you see things that aren’t on your radar. Find advisors that have their ear to the ground and that will help you spot what is coming around the corner. A good advisor will tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.
 
6. Read, Read, Read.
Take advantage of industry research, white papers and trend reports. This will help you stay current with outside perspectives, to temper your own views.

If you are always planning for things in the here and now, it is likely that you will be constantly chasing to catch up. Learning the skill of anticipation is incredibly useful if you want to take control of your life.

Why does a kid beat you at a video game? Because they know the road ahead. Because they’ve played this game before. They are not reacting they are anticipating. 
 
[1] Zwelling Martin ( February 2018) Inc. 7 Keys to anticipating your customers needs
https://www.inc.com/martin-zwilling/how-to-see-around-corner-compete-with-next-steve-jobs.html
[2] Robbins Tony. (April 2016) Power Talk: The Power of Anticipation
https://www.tonyrobbins.com/podcasts/episode-6/
[3] Ford Martin (2015) The Rise of the Robots