I learned a lesson recently while driving to work. Light snow fell as I turned onto the church drive, my first meeting set to begin in less than a minute. My mind raced to plan the most strategic place to park, and so did my speed. At the start of a big curve near the bottom of a hill, slush covered the road. When I hit that point, the car began to slide. I turned the steering wheel to the left, which straightened me briefly, but then the car slid right because I had over-corrected. After five quick turns to avoid going out of control, the ordeal ended.

Moments later I pulled into a parking spot and noticed my hand shaking as I turned the engine off. "No meeting is worth this," I thought. As I walked into the building, I replayed the incident in my mind. Although I'd like to believe that the salt truck should have done a better job, that my tires should have gripped better, and that too much coffee caused me to over-steer, I knew what must happen to avoid a repeat. I have to think ahead ...