Create A Backup Plan

Do you have a plan B?

I completely understand the reluctance of forming a back-up plan. Some successful and driven individuals declare that you should not have a Plan B because that guarantees that Plan A will fail. Some say that if you have a Plan B you will use it.

That depends.

Does it mean that if your plan is to become a famous actor and your back-up plan is to earn a living doing what you love in other ways that you are avoiding your true aspiration? I don't think so. I've seen wonderful people who so earnestly cling to their Plan A that they crash and burn and live in poverty. Is that their best option? What have they achieved?

High performance leaders seldom get themselves into that situation. They understand the need for a sensible back-up plan. It has nothing to do with giving up your dream. It has all to do with engaging your team, influencing your constituents, finding the resources you need, backing yourself up.

Not giving up on your vision but rather supporting your vision in ways that make sense right now.

You need a better back-up plan than "if I fail, I fail." You need a better back-up plan than "I do all the work".

Whether it is in that big project you're working on, that team you're perfecting, or that mission you are working to achieve, you need a back-up plan.

Because bad stuff happens and it's much better to be ready when it does.

Do you have a back-up plan for your biggest project?

-- Douglas Brent Smith

Would your organization benefit from more high performance leadership training? Contact me today about bringing our workshops to your location. A great way to start is with Supervising for Success. Not sure if we're for you? Start the conversation with our free webinar How To Achieve Your Goals.

doug@frontrangeleadership.com

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