Why I Hate Plan B. - There’s A
Better Alternative.
Not long ago, I was asked to be a keynote speaker at an organization's annual meeting to provide a spirit-lifter on personal responsibility and sending everyone home bubbling with enthusiasm.
I was on at 11 am - 12 noon because everyone had flights home pre-booked for mid-afternoon. They made a big deal of my presentation, which I appreciated, hyping it in advance. The event administrator leans over to me and whispers: “Can you cut your talk in half? We’ve run way over.” No sense bellyaching about unfairness… I had bigger issues… like scrambling to figure out my Plan B. More specifically, deciding in about two jittery minutes what content to cut out, how to recalibrate my timing, and not look royally foolish.
But actually… not really. Truth is, I wasn’t flustered at all. My smile to administrator wasn’t fake… I was calm and unruffled. Because as it so happened, I came prepared with two speeches… a 1-hr. version and a 30 min. version. And just between you and me, I could also have done 30 minutes or 90 minutes, if either of those had been thrust in my lap. And no one would have been the wiser.
An old Chinese proverb says: Dig the well before you thirst.
My point: I’ve never met a Plan B I liked. Most are inferior options decided in moments of panic… not clearly thought-through… unrehearsed… easily flubbed.
I’m sure it’s happened to you…
…an interview or sales presentation gets cut short at the last minute…
…a big opportunity is suddenly twice the price you planned on…
…a star employee resigns the day before a new client pitch (or a day after the big win)…
…or a myriad of other unwelcome horrors.
Considerations For You:
What do you do when conditions change unexpectedly and spell disaster for the outcome you dearly want? Do you stumble, fumble, and choke? Do you quickly formulate an inferior Plan B? Fold your tent and go home?
May I suggest something utterly wacky? How about the notion of having two Plan As. Both superior. Each one as good as the other. Both fully mapped out and rehearsed. Yes, it takes more up-front planning, but you’ll be glad you did when things blow up in your face. Murphy’s Law, remember?
If you think two is cumbersome, read any book about military special forces teams. They plan missions for every ‘what could go wrong’ eventuality down to the Nth detail, anticipating tiny movements that might go haywire, often with 30 or 40 contingencies. Each variation designed to still ensure mission success. And each one pre-rehearsed ad nauseam.
Does two sound so overwhelming now? Be the pro you signed up to be. Expect the unexpected.
Thought For You:
Not long ago, I was asked to be a keynote speaker at an organization's annual meeting to provide a spirit-lifter on personal responsibility and sending everyone home bubbling with enthusiasm.
I was on at 11 am - 12 noon because everyone had flights home pre-booked for mid-afternoon. They made a big deal of my presentation, which I appreciated, hyping it in advance. The event administrator leans over to me and whispers: “Can you cut your talk in half? We’ve run way over.” No sense bellyaching about unfairness… I had bigger issues… like scrambling to figure out my Plan B. More specifically, deciding in about two jittery minutes what content to cut out, how to recalibrate my timing, and not look royally foolish.
But actually… not really. Truth is, I wasn’t flustered at all. My smile to administrator wasn’t fake… I was calm and unruffled. Because as it so happened, I came prepared with two speeches… a 1-hr. version and a 30 min. version. And just between you and me, I could also have done 30 minutes or 90 minutes, if either of those had been thrust in my lap. And no one would have been the wiser.
An old Chinese proverb says: Dig the well before you thirst.
My point: I’ve never met a Plan B I liked. Most are inferior options decided in moments of panic… not clearly thought-through… unrehearsed… easily flubbed.
I’m sure it’s happened to you…
…an interview or sales presentation gets cut short at the last minute…
…a big opportunity is suddenly twice the price you planned on…
…a star employee resigns the day before a new client pitch (or a day after the big win)…
…or a myriad of other unwelcome horrors.
Considerations For You:
What do you do when conditions change unexpectedly and spell disaster for the outcome you dearly want? Do you stumble, fumble, and choke? Do you quickly formulate an inferior Plan B? Fold your tent and go home?
May I suggest something utterly wacky? How about the notion of having two Plan As. Both superior. Each one as good as the other. Both fully mapped out and rehearsed. Yes, it takes more up-front planning, but you’ll be glad you did when things blow up in your face. Murphy’s Law, remember?
If you think two is cumbersome, read any book about military special forces teams. They plan missions for every ‘what could go wrong’ eventuality down to the Nth detail, anticipating tiny movements that might go haywire, often with 30 or 40 contingencies. Each variation designed to still ensure mission success. And each one pre-rehearsed ad nauseam.
Does two sound so overwhelming now? Be the pro you signed up to be. Expect the unexpected.
Thought For You:
Every assessment I've
ever taken gives me feedback that I do not plan well for contingencies. I can
only imagine is what the algorithms are picking up is the contingencies are
built into my plans!
“I’ve always considered myself to be just average talent…
and what I have is a ridiculous insane obsession for practice and preparation.” Will Smith, actor,
entrepreneur.
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