Do you have a plan B? You know, that backup plan just in case plan A doesn’t work. The one that is always in the back of your head?
At one time, I thought having a plan B was such a great idea. Even when I was working in the corporate world, my team would always have a “just in case” plan when the first one didn’t work … at all or as well as was expected. I am hearing it now with all the wonderful people I am speaking with about their vision or goal for where they want to go in their career/business.
“I want my current business … my true love, that which I love to do … to thrive. BTW, I’m also doing this other thing on the side (essential oils, skincare, on-line digital marketing, etc.) just in case.”
Is there anything wrong with this? It depends.
It depends upon where you place your focus and in what way you place your focus. Here’s what I know – what you focus on the most grows. You may have heard this as the Law of Attraction. I call it your “intentional focus” principle.
When you have a vision/goal for your project whether in the corporate world, entrepreneurial world or your personal world, having one plan – plan A – is the key to it succeeding quicker. Notice my words here … “quicker”. Can your plan succeed? Yes, maybe – given enough time and enough attention to that plan.
2 mindset F traps for having a plan B:
- “Fractured” – your mind doesn’t really believe that you can make plan A work since you already have a plan B in place. For most of us, having a plan B suddenly becomes plan A or really plan AB since you work on both at the same time. Your belief system is confused creating doubt & worry which can then lead into a pattern of “not good enough” feelings and behaviors.
- “Failure” – you have created a clear intent with having a plan B since you are already preparing for plan A to fail. I saw this so much in my corporate work. The “bosses” love your idea on implementing the project when you are presenting it to them – nothing but accolades. Then, as you are shutting down your PowerPoint presentation, they ask that infamous question … “What do you have in place in case this doesn’t work?” Your mind goes into “failure” preparation mode … coming up with a plan B.
Again, having a plan B is not the end of the world. Understanding how to view and implement plan B is the key.
Is plan B really a backup plan or is it a supplement to the original plan?
If you need to have immediate success, is plan B really a plan A for right now?
How do you implement plan A so as not to need plan B … what steps do you take, what mindset do you embrace?
As daunting as these questions may seem to you, these questions are a beginning to clarifying your plan A and your success. Thomas Edison tested over 3000 filaments before he created his version of a practical light bulb. Did he have a plan B? No, he had one vision clearly in mind already believing in the outcome.
“The three things that are most essential to achievement are common sense, hard work and stick-to-it-iv-ness…”. Thomas Edison
If you would like to take a step into what you can do to clarify your plan A, let’s talk. It is up to you to take that step.