Page 27 - March 2021 Barbecue News Magazine

they’re off chasing a squirrel then a lizard (in Florida) then something else. If you’re not careful then you can become distracted and then your whole plan is thrown off.
When you are flexible, to a degree, then your plan just may be delayed or this new event that has popped up will en- hance your plan in a greater way. My mind keeps going back to cooking in a contest when, on a cold morning, your cooker isn’t getting to the temperature you need, but be- cause of your flexibility you are able to adjust. This freedom of flexibility is a permission you must give yourself when things arise, because they always do.
Stay Open to Better
“Change is the only constant in life” is a phrase we all have heard, said and lived. It’s inevitable to have change, to have plans disrupted, to have “to do” lists added to unexpectedly. How we react to these can make all the difference. Before I delve into this, let me assure you, these changes aren’t al- ways a bed of roses, sometimes, they do in fact frustrate, but in a bigger picture, they open your eyes to something better.
I’m sure you’re a lot like me when you have tasks which need accomplished. You are so laser focused any change can throw you off track. However, on some of those occasions when this has happened to me, it made everything better. When you’re open to change being better, then when it hap- pens, you are more willing to embrace it. It could be as sim- ple as giving you a sense of accomplishment, to filling in a missing piece to a project, to a brand-new recipe you stum- ble across. So, set your plans, but stay open to those plans changing to reveal something better.
Re-group and Re-try
Covid-19 has almost made us experts on this. From events canceling, to weddings being postponed and more. I have had two contests I’ve planned postpone because of this and I’ve canceled more plane tickets than I have ever canceled in my life. Major BBQ contests have canceled for this year only with the promise of bigger and better in 2021. One of my favorite events of the year, the NBBQA National Confer- ence, even had to cancel. But hopefully we’ll see something better, bigger and more fun next year.
When your plans change, when your day is turned on its ear, take a step back to re-group. In reality, it’s all you can do, unless you just give up and no one wants that. When you face a change of plans don’t get all mopey and give up. In- stead, step back grab a coffee, go for a walk, mow the lawn, etc. and spend that time re-grouping, collecting your thoughts then get back at it. This is so evident when you’re at a cooking competition and when the results are deliv- ered, you find out they aren’t exactly what you wanted. Do you sell your cookers and quit? No, you go home and exam- ine your cook then you get ready for the next one.
Our best laid plans may change from time to time, but how we deal with them will make all the difference.
MARCH 2021
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