***How to Think on Your Feet - Pressure Breeds Success

The best way to have an edge is to live on one.

-- Donald J. Trump

I’ve already written about complacency and how it can ruin your chances for success. It’s the same as being in a rut and deciding to stay there. That’s why I advise people to live on the edge. It’s the opposite of complacency; you have to learn to think on your feet.

What is it to think on your feet?

Ever notice how your senses are heightened when you are in challenging situations? You're experiencing an adrenalin rush that gives you extra energy. If you see every day as a challenge, you’d be surprised how efficient you can become, and how much can be accomplished. People often say they “hit the ground running,” which is another way of saying they did their prep work and were ready.

One recurrent lesson on The Apprentice teaches candidates to think quickly. They are under a time constraint, but it’s important that they also have a Plan B in line. If Plan A doesn’t work, they’re prepared for it and they won’t lose much time. They are learning to think ahead, to be prepared, and to cover their bases. These are basic ingredients for success in business.

How you can think on your feet.

When I started out in business, I spent a great deal of time researching every detail that might be pertinent to the deal I was interested in making. I still do the same today. People often comment on how quickly I operate, but the reason I can move quickly is that I’ve done the background work first, which no one usually sees. I prepare myself thoroughly, and then when it is time to move ahead, I am ready to sprint.

Being able to think on your feet is the result of training and discipline. You can’t sprint unless you have built up the stamina to do so. Building stamina is up to you. If you don’t work at it, it’s not going to happen by wishful thinking. You have to dedicate yourself to it every day. In other words, set a goal and work towards it. Athletes know that no one else can do the training for them. Business people should have the same discipline. You have to be self-reliant.

Have you ever said to yourself, “I wish I’d thought of that!”? One way to learn to think on your feet is to ask yourself what you should be thinking of this very moment. Do it right now. You’d be surprised how many good ideas you might have, if you’d give yourself the chance to think about them. Thinking takes time. It’s the preparation for being able to think on your feet. First things first: First we walk, then we run, then we sprint.

Thoreau said: “I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestioned ability of a man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor.” That is not only an encouraging statement, it is also an empowering one. It means you can accomplish a lot by applying your brainpower and then moving forward with it. Thought without action won’t amount to much in the long run. Those great ideas you have will remain great ideas unless you actively do something with them.

Don’t wait for dire circumstances to test your quick-thinking ability. Test yourself daily. Be alert at all times. As Napoleon said: “A leader has the right to be beaten, but never the right to be surprised.” See yourself as a leader--starting right now. It will mean you are self-reliant and responsible, and you won't be unpleasantly surprised by the vicissitudes of life, whether you are in business or not. Being prepared cannot be overestimated, and if you want to hit the big time running, you’d better be able to think on those feet of yours. So let’s get going!