I was taken off guard a few days ago when my mountain road tour turned into a modern version of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride!

What do you do when you find yourself skidding out of control with steep mountain cliffs quickly approaching ahead of you? Totally unprepared. No plan for this. Fully knowing that split second decisions you make NOW determine disaster, fender bender or just a scare.

It all started with a simple trip to sight see and show my buddy from Baltimore the views of Boulder and the Rocky's from the top of "Flagstaff." Who knew the flurries would turn into a white out and the road would turn into a sheet of ice? (I guess I could have checked the forecast... hmmmmm)

Times of losing traction can become classrooms of the topic of wisdom. Will we learn or will we continue spinning our wheels? How do you regain traction when you've lost it?

We lose traction (control) when the unexpected and unpredictable events hit us.

• Our job as we know it is ending.

• A great client leaves us

• You feel "zero" motivation in your current endeavor.

• Your spouse wants "out."

Losing traction means we're inflicted with circumstances beyond our control. And what we do next has big implications.

So, lessons from losing traction.

1. YOU Staying calm is job number one.

Even when others close to us get edgy or even lose it, FREAKING OUT WILL NOT HELP.

Caring for your own soul is not an "I'll get to it at some point" endeavor. It's job number one. The world's wisest, and arguably the wealthiest ever, King Solomon. once wrote in in his book called Proverbs, "Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life." (Proverbs 4:23)

Peace of mind is ALWAYS the best way to live. When can you think of a time when you freaked out and something good came about? Hmmm...

What good will being fearful, anxious and angry do... at least in the midst of the situation?

2. Utilize Your Past Experiences

Personally, when skidding out of control in the past, I learned that pumping the brakes "sometimes" worked. Locking the brakes on a downhill skid was practically almost always the wrong thing to do. When you pump them, you at least have a better chance.

Last time you lost traction in your life or work, what worked then? What didn't?

My father-in-law, Mike, often shares Will Rogers wisdom, "Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment."

In other words, bad judgement in the past does have something to offer.

3. Feel for Signs of Traction before deciding.

The big decision: Head into the guardrail to stop our free fall or keep skidding even as a 75 degree turn approached.

It wasn't until we were almost right next to the guardrail that I felt just enough traction in the wheels to turn the wheel and turn out of the skid.

Once you sense just a bit of normalcy, then make your decision. I didn't know if I would regain any traction in the skid.... but if there's any good news, take advantage of it!

4. Make Changes to Avoid Loss of Traction Again

I was totally surprised by the loss of traction. But, once now know danger lurks, make change, will ya?

Shift into lower gear. Go slow. Very slow. OR...

• If it's the wrong job... don't just take a job like it. Evaluate.

• If the client leaves ... learn why and make changes. Evaluate and do something different. Or discover what kinds of clients fit gifting.

• If you feel "zero" motivation in your current endeavor.... evaluate your own energy... or work with someone who can help you do that. Change!

• If the spouse leaves, learn what WE might have done differently. (since we can't change them, can we?)

As it's been repeatably said, "Don't fear failure. But DO learn from the failure!

And yes, we survived our Mr. Toad's Wild Mountain Ride .... And, yes, I thank God for that one!