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Plan B. This is commentary from James Brown. Arnold Schwarzenegger has a strict policy when it comes to big goals. He outlined it in his book be useful. Seven tools for life. No backup plans allowed. As governor of California, he faced a lot of resistance from both parties. He refused to compromise and give up on his key priorities, like redistricting reform. Everyone told him it couldn't be done. But Schwarzenegger didn't listen to the naysayers.
He just kept pushing and bringing it up again and again and again. Why? Because, as he puts it, nothing good has ever come from having a plan B. Its a plan for failure, he says. That shrinks your own dreams. When you accept that a backup plan is available, you start doubting your primary path. You become your own worst critic. Schwarzenegger learned this the hard way. He went all in ignoring the doubters and doubled voter support for redistricting reform in just three years. The lesson?
Scrap the plan b. Commit to your full vision. Carve your own path, no matter how difficult it may seem. For me, this one is difficult. I love thinking about options and possibilities and almost always have at least one plan B. But as Schwarzenegger proved, go out on a limb, no matter how risky, is where the real transformative change happens. So what's your big goal? Are you ready to go all in, or are you hedging your bets with a backup plan?
Share your thoughts in the comments and support my work at jamesbrowntv dot substek.com. on that note, I'm James Brown and as always, be well.