“Doing things at the last minute reminds us of the importance of doing things at the first minute.”— Matshona Dhliwayo

The hammock had been left out in the backyard and I noticed that a light rain had started. I didn’t want to have to run outside right then. It seemed much easier to just leave the hammock where it was and bring it in the next day by which time it would have been dried out by the afternoon sun.

As I was thinking out loud about the wisdom of procrastination, my wife said, “It can always get wetter.” This phrase was a reference to a hike we had taken a few years before.

On that hike, it had also started to rain and the initial light sprinkle was fun and refreshing. But about half an hour later, the skies opened up and let loose a downpour. I grumbled, “Well, at least we can’t get any wetter.” Which is, of course, when I rounded a corner and stepped into a foot deep mud puddle.

So, despite my reluctance, I followed the wisdom I had learned on that hike. I went and got the hammock, hung it in the bathroom to dry, and it was dry enough to be put away before the evening was over.

Meanwhile, that initial light rain was the precursor to a week of torrential downpours.

Consider this for yourself and your teams. Do you have any lingering little things left undone that could become bigger problems? Take care of them while it’s still only sprinkling.

Yours in the calm pursuit of excellence,

Alan Willett