Part V: Avoiding the “I didn’t see that coming” trap
Here are practical diet‑like habits to reduce the frequency of being caught off‑guard.
Habit 1: Regular reflection
Once a week ask: “What surprised me this week? What did I not expect? Why?”
Write it down. Over time you’ll start recognising patterns.
Habit 2: “Pre‑mortem” thinking
Before big decisions or projects, ask “What could go wrong that we’re not thinking about?”
This helps bring unknowns into view and reduces future surprise.
Habit 3: Monitor small signals
Set up a “weak signal” habit: minor deviations from normal (tone changes, small data shifts) may be early warning signs.
Don’t dismiss them — log them.
Habit 4: Build flexible plans
When you plan for a goal, build in “if‑then” clauses.
If X happens, we pivot to Y. This reduces shock when X occurs.
Habit 5: Accept surprise as part of life
You’ll never eliminate surprise. Instead of being shocked, train to say: “Well, that was unexpected — now what?”
The phrase “I didn’t see that coming” becomes not defeat but a cue for action.
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