Yesterday I wrote about one way we can prepare ourselves to overcome an obstacle. In the post I explained the term “Implementation Intentions” which is a self-regulatory strategy in the form of an if-then plan.
If I come across obstacle A, then I will respond with B.
Studies suggest that by creating an if-then plan, we can increase our perception, attention and memory which makes us much better at handling difficult situations. By developing a plan of attack a head of time, tasks are performed more automatically and efficiently.
It appears that Mark Cuban adheres to this strategy.
In reading about the free agent fracas between DeAndre Jordan and the Dallas Mavericks, I ran across a quote Cuban made prior to his handshake agreement with the Clippers center. In an interview last week with 1310 The Ticket in Dallas Cuban said he was prepared for his approach if the team was not able to land an impact player via free agency:
We literally had the discussion that if we couldn’t get a serious free agent, whether it was DeAndre or one of the others guys that are still out there or any of the earlier ones that went, that it was time to take a step back…If I don’t get that 1A free agent, then we’ve been able to put together some pretty decent teams and hope maybe we get a great trade.”
Notice the if-then statements.
If they don’t get a top free agent, then it would be time to take a step back (save money and focus on next year) or make a trade.
Even while whining and dinning Jordan, Cuban was prepared with an implementation intention. He was putting plans in place for what his team would do without Jordan.
As of two days ago, it didn’t look like Cuban was going to need that back up plan. But thanks to Jordan’s change of heart and decision to spurn the Mavericks in favor of the Clippers, things have changed. Cuban is now forced to use his if-then strategy.
All reports clearly state Cuban is none to happy about the move, but thanks to an if-then statement it might be a little easier to move on.
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