As I was scanning my notes for this morning’s blog I got a text from my son Jared. He and his wife and new baby have been in Canada for a wedding and are headed back to Nashville this morning. After boarding their plane and taxing to the runway they were told there was an engine problem and they would have to return to the terminal.
After living in Africa for the last seven years, Jared has become accustomed to flight delays – and to planes that 
leave an hour or so before scheduled. His comment this morning was “I am still always impressed that we have the privilege of flying.” I added that we should be thankful the airline decided not to put that plane in the air rather than just “hoping” the engine would be okay. And then I added in my reply text to Jared – “Savor the Unexpected.”
How often have you been misdirected on a trip, with your health, in a relationship or in your career, only to find that the detour led to something even better?
I could not begin to list the times in my life when an unexpected detour opened the door to something amazing. Here are just some highlights:
- Unlike the other kids in town my Dad wouldn’t buy me a cool car. That forced me to build an eye-popping street rod and to learn a whole lot about cars in the process.
- I crashed in business only to find that I had learned some principles that led to a new kind of business success.
- The biggest tree in the approach to my office “died” and then birthed a magnificent eagle sculpture that draws people from around the country.
- In January of this year I had an emergency appendectomy. That opened my eyes to take a fresh look at my overall health habits and I transformed the way I feel today.
What unexpected detours have you had that put you on a better path?
Do you already help others recognize the unexpected detours in their lives? Can you frame that coaching into a profitable business? Join us for the last Coaching With Excellence event of the year – September 13-14th.
