When a Cancelled Train Became a Blessing

Last week, a cancelled train taught me one of the biggest lessons in productivity I’ve experienced in years.
 
Unexpectedly, I discovered it while travelling to deliver my Productivity Masterclass to a fantastic Vistage group in London, led by Chair Laura Gordon.
 
The session was held at the DoubleTree by Hilton, and from the moment I walked into the room, there was a real sense of energy and enthusiasm. It was one of those groups where people were eager to learn, contribute and leave with practical ideas they could put into action immediately.
 
The feedback at the end was wonderful. Delegates commented on the pace of the session, the variety of media, the discussion breakouts and, most importantly, the practical actions they were taking away.
 
I was also delighted when Laura invited me back to deliver the masterclass to her other Vistage group.
 
England was experiencing temperatures of 34°C, and the rail network was under enormous pressure. My train to London was cancelled, forcing passengers onto the next available service.
 
When I arrived at St Pancras, I was greeted by huge crowds. Looking around, I couldn’t help wondering what the following day would look like when I needed to get home.
 
The forecast suggested it would be even hotter, and I pictured thousands of people competing for the few trains that were still running.
 
 
Then a simple thought came into my mind.
 
Or perhaps, as a Christian, I should say a simple thought was placed into my mind.
 
Why not avoid the mainline stations altogether?
 
After delivering the masterclass, I could travel north on the Underground and ask my wife, Julie, to drive down the M1 and collect me.
 
Although it meant a five-hour round trip and she isn’t a fan of long motorway journeys, Julie didn’t hesitate. She said yes.
 
The moment we had a plan, my anxiety disappeared.
 
Nothing outside had changed.
 
The trains were still uncertain.
 
The weather was still getting hotter.
 
But my thinking had changed.
 
Instead of worrying about something I couldn’t control, I relaxed, enjoyed my evening at the hotel and slept well. The next morning, I was able to give my complete attention to the people I had travelled to serve.
 
The masterclass flew by, and after lunch with the group, I travelled on the Underground to High Barnet, where Julie was waiting exactly as planned.
 
A short while later, we were driving home in air-conditioned comfort and arrived back by 5.30 pm.
 
But here’s the remarkable part.
 
 
The idea of travelling to High Barnet wasn’t mine.
 
Because my original train had been cancelled, I happened to be on the same train as Jordan, someone from my church. During our conversation, he mentioned that High Barnet was an ideal place to leave a car before travelling into central London, as he had done so many times.
 
Think about that for a moment.
 
If my train hadn’t been cancelled, I would never have met Jordan.
 
If I hadn’t met Jordan, I would never have known about High Barnet.
 
Sometimes what first appears to be an inconvenience turns out to be exactly what we need.
 
Last Sunday I spoke to Jordan again.
 
He told me St Pancras had become even more chaotic than before. He eventually boarded a packed train to Nottingham, but that too was delayed, and he even considered getting off and booking a hotel for the night.
 
He had to stand for the entire journey in extreme heat. There was no air conditioning, no working toilet.
 
As I listened, I realised just how close I had come to experiencing the same journey.
 
 
One conversation had changed everything.
 
Julie had willingly given up five hours of her day to help me get home safely.
 
Jordan had unknowingly given me the solution before I even realised I would need it.
 
As I reflected on the trip, I realised it reinforced one of the biggest lessons I teach.
 
Real productivity isn’t just about managing your diary.
 
It’s about managing your thinking.
 
Sometimes the answer isn’t working harder.
 
Sometimes it’s simply finding a different route.
 
 
Three Key Takeaways 

• Be flexible. When circumstances change, don’t waste energy wishing they were different. Adapt and look for another way forward.
• Value the people around you. One conversation and one act of kindness can completely change the outcome of your day.
• Control what you can control. Once I had a plan, I stopped worrying and could give my full attention to delivering my very best. 

 
Thoughts for the Week 

1. What challenge are you facing that needs a different approach?
2. Who has helped you recently that deserves your gratitude?
3. Could today’s setback actually be preparing you for tomorrow’s blessing? 

 
As I thanked Julie on the drive home, another thought crossed my mind.
 
A cancelled train led me to sit next to Jordan.
 
Jordan suggested High Barnet.
 
Julie sacrificed five hours of her day to help me get home safely.
 
What began as the biggest inconvenience of the week became one of the greatest blessings.
 
Looking back, I no longer see the cancelled train as the problem.
 
I see it as the beginning of the solution.
 
We can’t always choose what happens to us, but we can always choose how we respond.
 
And sometimes, the road we never intended to take turns out to be the very one that gets us safely home.
 
 
Well, that’s it for the week.
 
Have a brilliant week ahead.
 
Warm regards

John

https://jdmindcoach.com/product/off-the-wall-how-to-develop-world-class-mental-resilience/