How Successful People Think: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life pdfdrive com

5. Align Your Thinking with Your Resources
One of the keys to maximizing realistic thinking is aligning your resources
with your objectives. Looking at pros and cons and examining worst-case
scenarios will make you aware of any gaps between what you desire and what
really is. Once you know what those gaps are, you can use your resources to fill
them. After all, that’s what resources are for.

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SUPER BOWL, SUPER DOME, SUPER SECURITY
Our country received lessons in realistic thinking following the tragedy of
September 11, 2001. The destruction of the World Trade Center buildings in
New York City far surpassed any worst-case scenarios that anyone might have
envisioned. In the wake of that event, we now find that we don’t have the luxury
of avoiding or neglecting realistic thinking.
I was reminded of that on Sunday, February 3, 2002, when I attended the
Super Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana. I had been to the big game twice before,
to root for the home team—first San Diego and later Atlanta—and had seen both
teams lose! But I had never been to a game like this. The occasion had been
designated a National Security Special Event. That meant that the U.S. Secret
Service would be overseeing it; military personnel would work with local law
enforcement; and security would be of the highest caliber. The Secret Service
brought in several hundred agents and secured the area. In preparation for the
game, access to the Super Dome was highly restricted, with intensified
screening. Officials blocked off roads, closed the nearby interstate, and
designated the area a no-fly zone.
We arrived early at the dome—officials suggested fans arrive up to five hours
ahead of game time—and we immediately saw evidence of the precautionary
measures. Eight-foot fences surrounded the whole area, and concrete barriers
prevented unauthorized vehicles from getting close to the building. We could see
sharpshooters positioned at various locations, including on the roof of some
adjacent buildings. When we reached a gate, police officers and security
personnel patted us down and examined everyone’s belongings. After that they
directed us to go through metal detectors. Only then did they allow us into the
stadium.
“That’s all well and good,” you may be saying, “but what would have
happened had there been a terrorist attack?” The Secret Service had that covered
too, because they had prepared for the worst-case scenario. Evacuation plans had
been put into place, and personnel at the Super Dome had been drilled to make
sure everyone knew what to do in case of an emergency.
New Orleans mayor Marc Morial said the day before the Super Bowl,
“We want to send a message to all visitors that New Orleans is going to be
the safest place in America.” 
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We got the message. We didn’t feel the least

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bit worried. That’s what happens when leaders recognize the importance of
realistic thinking.