The Right Place at the Right Time

38 years ago today, I joined my buddy June and her brand new husband (Danny) on their honeymoon trip. 

Yes, I just revealed that I have friends that are way, WAY older than me.

The wedding took place in our home town, Brockville, and after the festivities subsided I needed to get back to Ottawa. 
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The newlyweds were heading through Ottawa to a honeymoon destination in Quebec that Sunday and they very generously offered me a ride. 
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It seemed like a good idea at the time.

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I knew as soon as they pulled up that this was going to be a fun trip! With a red canoe tied to the top of their '72 Chevy Belair (with "Juanita" carved in the dash) and a large "JUST MARRIED" sign attached to the trunk, I began to question my decision to hitch a ride with the lovebirds. 
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What the hell. I jumped in the back seat and off we went.

It wasn't long before passing cars started reacting to the decorated car, and the obvious interloper sitting in the back seat. I started ducking down, then popping up and waving to everyone as we passed them on the highway.

It was one of the funnest honeymoons I've ever been on. And that got me thinking about being at the right place at the right time.

Being the party crasher on your friend's honeymoon is a great example of being at the wrong place at exactly the wrong time, but we made the absolute best of it.

Successfully being at the right place at the right time in business means having your finger on the pulse of your customers, understanding the business climate and, of course, being good at what you do.

I found myself struggling to keep employed as a marketing specialist during the high tech bust (that happened right after the boom, btw!). I was told that many of these struggling high tech companies were unable to initiate new hires - but they were desperate for marketing support. 

What they COULD do was create a purchase order for the same work. That's when I stopped looking for a job and started offering my services as a consultant. I pivoted with the market - out of necessity, of course. It was not a fun transition but one I have never regretted.

Do you need some luck too? I think so. I was lucky to have great mentors that gave me great advice. 

You need to define what success means for you. Enjoying what you do and doing it well while fulfilling the wants and needs of your clients is one definition of success. (it happens to be MY definition)

If you work on getting these ducks in a row, when the right time comes along, not only will you be ready, you will have had a pretty good time leading up to it.

I've heard that success is the crossroad of opportunity and preparation. Isn't that kinda like being in the right place at the right time?
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Discussion Questions:

1. What kind of car did you drive on your honeymoon? (bonus points if you remember the name that was carved in the dashboard)
   
   
2. Tell me about the toughest pivot you've ever had to make in your business.
   
   
3. Are you in the right place now?