I remember two things about 2012 Presidential Election. First, I drove 70 miles round trip to cast my ballot. President Obama was up for re-election facing Mitt Romney. The deer action was slow and I remember checking my phone for updates. Early results indicated President Obama was getting re-elected and my “guy” was going to lose. Sulking in my tree stand I sarcastically thought “great, another four years of Obama.”
The second event I remember that week was harvesting the buck in the picture. While sitting in my stand I caught movement out of the corner of my right eye. A deer quietly walked in behind me and stood broad side to my hard right. A 90 degree shot to the right with a bow is difficult (without making a bunch of movement), but he was looking away and gave me an opportunity to do a hard corkscrew while drawing my bow. I settled my 30-yard pin, slowly squeezed my release, and watched my arrow sail over his back. He spun around in confusion and ran 40 yards behind me. I had an opening for a shot and he wasn’t sure what happened. My only concern was a big branch about 15 yards away from me. As long as I went under the limb, I had a clear shot. I aimed. Shot. Whack! My arrow shattered on the limb. He took a couple steps closer. I ranged the deer at 38 and thought, “now I should be able to get under that limb.” I aimed. Shot. Whack! My arrow hit the limb again shattering to pieces. The deer took a couple steps closer.
In a fit of disgust, I turned around, sat down in my tree stand, and thought, “I’m not going to kill this deer.” I looked at my four-arrow quiver. I had one left. I stayed calm, collected my thoughts, took a deep breath, stood up and saw the deer was still standing where I last saw him. These words went through my mind “No matter what happens, I only have one arrow left. After this arrow, my hunt is over for day, so I had better make it count.” I let out three soft grunts and he came in on a rope to my stand and stopped broad side at 20 yards. I let the last arrow fly and watched it bury deep into the animal. I felt like the shot was good, but there is always a doubt. I drove home and got some more arrows before recovering my deer (just in case). He didn’t go far.
How Does This Apply to Business
My four-arrow quiver represents the four-year term of the President of the United States. November 3rd, 2020 is Election Day. The country will decide if President Trump will serve another term or if former Vice President Biden will be the next President. Regardless of the result, after four years, it is over and the citizens of the United States get to go to the polls again. When that fourth arrow left my bow, I knew my hunt was over for the day regardless of the outcome. The finality of the situation allowed me to remain calm and choose my next move carefully. I could have tried another long shot, but instead I grunted and coaxed the deer closer. I made the right decision because I remained calm.
I cannot control the outcome of this election. I can vote and I can choose how to react to the result. Jocko Willink says “When things get crazy, make sure you don’t get crazy too. Keep your emotions in check, stay calm, there are going to be things that go on that are out of your control. Stay calm and figure out how to move forward.”
There will be a winner and there will be a loser. If your “team” doesn’t win focus on what you can control. This includes communicating with local, state, and national representatives. Having long form discussions with people to articulate your ideas and understand other’s point of views. Finally, just try to make the world a little better every day.
Until next time remember…you are going to have to earn it.