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If Plan A is for attaining your dreams, Plan B is for avoiding nightmares.
From boy scouts to CEOs, we see a backup plan as a sign of readiness, responsibility, even foresight. But you might want to think twice about that.
Plan B is overrated. And it underperforms. Why do you think it’s not Plan A?
The nature of Plan B expects and prepares for the failure of Plan A. Its existence undermines your motivation and focus on your desired goal.
Many in history have gone to great lengths to eliminate a backup plan. Ancient military commanders burnt their boats when they arrived at the battlegrounds, to banish any thought of retreat.
The Japanese samurai took the concept to another level. Failure on a mission meant performing hara-kiri or honor suicide.
History aside, it seems like science agrees that Plan “B” is Plan “Bad”.
Researchers at the University of Zurich believe backup plans alter the way we pursue a goal, and affect our likelihood of achieving it. Even if the backup plans are never used.
In a separate study, scientists at Wisconsin and Pennsylvania found that those who thought of a backup plan have a lower desire to achieve their goal, and performed significantly worse on it.
Still not convinced? Here are three ways your backup plan hurts your chances of success.
1. It undermines your confidence.
A strong belief in your goal and your ability to achieve it is essential for success. If you’re making a backup plan, you’re not thinking positively right from the start. By preparing for a negative outcome, you’re eroding your self-belief and confidence in your goals.
If you’re planning for possible failure, you’re likely to set up a self-fulfilling prophecy. 63% of people believe a prenuptial agreement increases the risk of divorce. In a separate review of 682 prenup marriages, only 15% made it to the 15th anniversary.
2. It weakens your resilience.
The path to success is hardly ever smooth. If you’re pursuing something worthwhile, you can bet it won’t be easy. That is why the best entrepreneurs and athletes count grit and resilience as must-have attributes.
We know the saying “When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.” But when the going gets tough – and you have a Plan B – you’re likely to reach for it than to persevere on.
Your backup plan can make it too convenient to give up when you hit a temporary setback – one that is necessary, and possible, to overcome.
3. It distracts your focus.
Like all plans, coming up with a backup requires thought and multiple refinements. Having it in the background of your mind can affect your focus when you’re trying to make Plan A work.
The real danger is when the backup plan takes on a life of its own. It may germinate new ideas in your mind to make it seem like a viable, even attractive alternative. This diverts focus and resources away from your chosen path, reducing your chances of success.
How Plan C Helps you Succeed on Plan A:
If you must have a safety net, ditch Plan B and start thinking about your Plan C.
Plan C is the option that keeps you away from the worst-case scenario, yet isn’t desirable enough to make failure acceptable.
Plan C does what Plan B cannot do: It gives you stronger motivation to deliver on Plan A, simply because it’s not good enough as an alternative. It also disaster-proofs the outcome.
That is what a safety net is for anyway – saving your life if you fall; it’s not meant to be a hammock.
Don’t blame Plan B. Sometimes Plan A should never have been Plan A. Before locking in on your chosen path, ask yourself these questions:
1. How much do you believe in it?
2. How confident are you of achieving it?
3. What setbacks are you prepared to suffer for it?
Decide on your Plan A almost as if you’re getting married to it. Move beyond the passion and excitement. Settle down and consider carefully.
How are you going to handle the rough patches? What do you need to do to make this work? Do you really want to go through with this? Nothing less than a resounding ‘yes’ would do.
Because Plan B is like the college sweetheart who’s still holding a flame for you. And will be “here for you” when you encounter problems with Plan A.
Plan C is being single; lonely nights with Netflix or PS4.
Moral of the story: Forget Plan B if you want Plan A to work out. Remind yourself of Plan C, shudder, and make Plan A work.
Photo credit: Getty Images