Real Life sucks sometimes…

Real Life sucks sometimes…

When Real Life trashes your Best Laid Plans

We know it’s good to have a plan.

I mean everything has a better chance of happening with a plan behind it.

The project at work, the day trip with the kids, the diet, the exercise plan…

But what happens when Real Life kicks in? When your boss changes their mind on a key aspect; when the kids get sick; when you accidentally fall into a plate of muffins?

It happens to us all, sometimes through no cause of our own, sometimes not! We know that even the best laid plans can be subject to change!

 

So what do we do?

  1. Throw our toys out of the cot and refuse to have anything more to do with the plan?
  2. Decide that the plan is ruined for now but we can come back to it later, Monday, sometime…?
  3. Look at what we can rescue from the plan and move on?

Hopefully, you’re all thinking, Option No.3 please Sara! After all, we are grown ups and this is the grown up way. Hard when your inner toddler or teenager is kicking off inside!

So here’s how I go about handling a plan change (hopefully, mostly).

  1. Breathe: deep breaths and count to 10, or whatever number you need to to allow the inner self to calm down a bit. The equivalent of time out on the naughty step!
  2. Assess: Is it as bad as you thought? What happened? What part did you play? Who else is effected? Do we need Plan A v.2 or Plan B?
  3. Learn: Why has the plan changed? What can you take away from this? How can you help it to go more smoothly next time? What can you do differently?
  4. Action: Consciously choose to take positive action. Decide on the new plan and then DO IT! Do not wait, procrastinate, debate anymore. Keep moving forward!
  5. Let it go: Make like a Disney princess and don’t hold on to anything you can’t change!

We make plans for a reason. Generally because we want to achieve something.

Don’t let Real Life scupper your plans, whatever they are.

Take time, use your brain and make conscious choices.

 

When the shit hits the fan, don’t spend any longer than necessary cleaning up. Get it done and move on!

Much more productive than a tantrum!

 

Tell me how you get on.

Stay Strong

 

 



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