How to act when plans fall apart. 10 useful tips

A plan is a set of actions to be taken to achieve a goal. But sometimes external circumstances change and the plan loses its meaning or its realization becomes impossible. In such situations, many people get frustrated and give up.

PhD in Philosophy, Gestalt therapist

I propose a plan of action that will help to form a new approach and achieve goals without stress.

To prevent emotions and bodily reactions from gaining power over you, form a new intellectual solution. Respond to the collapse of plans with reason, not emotion, and seek a new approach that will free you from stress.

I recommend doing all actions in writing, recording the results in a notebook. This is how new neural connections are formed in the brain, which you anchor at the body level.

Realize what happened

Did your plan actually collapse or are you dramatizing under the influence of emotions? Separate the rational, fact-based part from your feelings and emotions about what is happening.

Determine if you need time to recover

and watch events unfold. Especially if they are beyond your control or if you are ready to take action now.

Form a vision of the end result

This, too, can change due to circumstances. The vision can be a framework, but it should define the vector of your movement.

Ask yourself the right question

“What can I do to make the situation develop as I need it to?”. Make a plan of the first 3-5 steps you can take today.

Determine what resources you will need

To get started and take the first steps. This can be knowledge, time, people, finances, material and technical resources.

Do not rest on your laurels

Once you have completed the first steps, formulate the next few steps, fill them with resources and act.

Reflect and evaluate what is happening

Remember that it is useful to turn on your “inner critic” periodically. This is essential for risk assessment. But don’t forget to turn it off, otherwise you will doubt everything and it will stop you all the time.