Lessons from the Chian rescue operation - Part 1

This week we witnessed what is arguably one the greatest emergency rescue operations in our time. What started out as a mining disaster, leaving a nation in shock, turned out into a media frenzy, putting Chile "on the map" with their determination and resolve to save the lives of 33 miners. Much to the delight of the families of theses 33 miners, they were rescued, but not with little planning and foresight. It took the most part of 70 days to plan the rescue operation and they too had their fair share of challenges. While so much attention was on the actual rescue on the last 2 days, there was much planning, strategizing, sacrifice and resources spent to get to the actual rescue day. 95% of the time (67 of the 70 days) was spent thinking, planning and reasoning "how do we rescue them?" Questions were asked like "what equipment will we need?", "how long will it take?", "what poosible obsatcles might we face?", "what unknown factors are there?". What's my point you ask? My point is this: too much hype is put on the actual rescue (on the day) and not enough credit and media hyoe was put on the planning and preparation. Have we as a society become numb to the "behind the scenes" scenarios,? Have we become obsessed with the "limelight of the big moment" while not acknowledging the "behind the scenes" people and resouces? I feel we have.

Bringing this into your life, maybe its time to take stock and realize that there is much hard work needed for you to achieve any degree of success. I find it quite normal that Doctors charge so much. I normally justify it to their 7-plus years they've spent in study to master thier craft. Similarly, we need to put in the hard work behind the scenes, planning and preparing to make some kind of success of our lives.

On another twist to this take, may I dare add that we need to constantly thank and acknowledge the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make us "look good". People like the succsessful husband's wife, the successful entrepeneur's spouse, the domestic maid of a busy family, the productive executive's PA, the ministry of helps in a local church, the street cleaners in a beautiful city, the maintenance staff of a theme park, the list just goes on and on.

So take some time to thank these "behind the scenes" people today. And also realize that success only come with much planning and preparation, effectionately called 'hard work'.

Part 2 coming.......