Should We Forget About Plan B?

Should We Forget About Plan B?

For the longest time, since childhood and even as we speak now, we were all taught and schooled that in life, we got to always have a Plan B?  BUT here's the thing, for the past donkey years I have managed projects even of the most complex magnitude, I'll admit that NOT ONCE did we ever plotted for a Plan B [as part of our program/project management best practices.  So, here's the question:  Should We Forget About Plan B???

YES, most of us would agree that it really makes sense to have a backup plan.  Events NEVER unfold exactly as expected and it makes sense to prepare for contingencies.  BUT a recent study will surprise [or SHOCK us all].  The research showed that just thinking about your backup plan reduces your chances for success.  The research was executed clinically as one group was asked to simply perform a task WHEREAS the other group was asked to think about WHAT they would do if they DIDN'T succeed before starting.  In that research, the group WHO thought of a Plan B were LESS successful.  That became the basis for the researchers to conclude that crafting a backup plan can indeed have harmful effects in our pursuit of our goals OR plan[s].  I believe this is NOT even debatable because this happens in our real life💧💧💧

You might retort, DOES THIS MEAN WE SHOULD NEVER HAVE MULTIPLE PLANS?  Probably NOT.  Sometimes, a particular activity may have different outcomes for WHICH it is only prudent to plan in detail [including a Plan B].  A classic example is a 'Garden Wedding' WHERE you need to have an 'INDOOR' wedding as a Plan B in case of rains and downpour.  BUT beyond those life events, NOT everything in life appropriately deserves a Plan B💥💥💥

That Plan B remains practical and a good practice for activities like starting a business, accepting a new job offer.  In these cases, a high degree of personal commitment is essential for one to succeed.  I remember in some history facts, military commanders burned bridges after crossing them OR even sunk boats that carried them to their destination.  That proved that retreat was NOT an option for that attacking force❎❎❎

Our takeaway:  This is a no-brainer for me because long time back WHEN I took that quantum leap to fly to Singapore, I resigned from my job at that time [and even sold my car before I departed].  Just a solid proof that I NEVER entertained any thoughts that I'll fail in my new pursuit and I had to come back [OR retreat, to borrow the army jargon].  So, SHOULD WE FORGET ABOUT PLAN B?  YES please, except for the practical situations where a Plan B is a must😌😌😌