Plans Change: Don't fuck Plan B

Come now, you know better than this

Don't fuck Plan B. 

I see where you're coming from. You have some driving passion you want to see done. You are determined to sweep obstacles out of the way. No doubt you've heard any number of successful people talk about how all kinds of shit fell into place because they pursued their dreams and never once let the thought of failure enter their mind. It's a lot easier to talk this way after one has a large bank account, but that's another story.

You want to burn the ships on the beaches, because there ain't no going back.

Because you're young, and might be in love more with the idea of Plan A than its reality. Hell, Plan B turns out to be a better Plan A many, many times.

Or maybe because you're older, with just enough success to think your ideas are foolproof, and that's stupid.

Have a Plan B.

Because no plan survives first contact with the enemy. Or an obstacle. The world gives you plenty of both.

Because the love of your life may turn out to be a terrible person.

Because determination is formidable, not invincible.

Because one day you might be poor, or are right now. Your stomach, your bill collectors and your landlord don't give two shits how brilliant Plan A is.

Because if you don't have a Plan B, the world is happy to write one for you, and you won't like it.

Because one day you might have some power, and our world is full of terrible problems created by people who assumed their first plan would work out. People who assumed that markets would always rise or that they'd be greeted as liberators, and there are a lot of others out there who really, really wish they'd had a Plan B.

Don't be one of those assholes.

So here's to the stockpile, the reserve, the savings account, the full pantry, the contingency plan. Here's to the second career. Here's to hidden talents and new skills. Here's to rolling with the punches, learning that you're not half as smart as you thought you were, and coming back better next time.

Here's to your editor calling you out on your bullshit. Here's to tempering your dreams in reality, the same way metal is transformed in fire.

Here's to Plan B.

Hey, we live in a world where "look before you leap" and "those who hesitate are lost" are both true. No one ever said it would be easy.

Plans change.

The best to you, and good hunting.

(Thanks to Madeline Ashby for suggesting the title of this post.)

Comments

[Mer]

Thank you.

[Tina]

"Here's to tempering your dreams in reality, the same way metal is transformed in fire."
Funny you should use that metaphor, that is what I plan on doing.

Well written, and good message.