I recently came across a “Humans of Bombay” post which covered actor Rajkumar Rao. He spoke about his dreams, his struggles to gain recognition in tinsel town. One thing that stood out was his raw passion and his sticking to Plan A- that is making it big as an actor in Bollywood. He never had a Plan B. He knew he would make it and he did! I was in awe because I could see so much if myself in him.
I have always been a Plan A person. Set my sights on something and worked relentlessly towards it, believing that if I truly desire something with all my heart and direct all my efforts towards it, the universe will conspire and make my wish come true. Has it always worked? No it hasn’t. There have been failures and disappointments in life, I have stumbled, shed tears. But as time has passed and I looked back, I found that some of the things that dint work out had a purpose. It did not seem such a big failure as it once felt. Perhaps I had moved on.
I had a terrible time 2 days last week where something I have been pining my hopes on for quite a long time and have been working towards seems shaky now. It was a big dampener for me and what made it worst was I had little control over the outcome. I went through 2 agonising days but after that storm had passed, I could find my calm. I wont say I have completely gotten over it but it made me contemplate and I learnt something valuable-
- I rediscovered people who matter the most, those who stand by you at your worst. There have been times where I have been too occupied with the good things in life and did not bother to keep in touch but when I needed them the most, they were there.
- One should think of a Plan B. Its always good to have an alternative solution. While its practically difficult to let go when Plan A doesn’t work- its always a tough call to take- to let go and move on or stick on and work towards Plan A but having some options in sight gives a chance to choose.
- Nothing lasts forever. This is one of my favourite quotes and I have magically found it works each time. A week down the line I do feel that I have been able to put things behind me , at least to a great extent, understand that I did all I could and I have to leave some things to the Universe. The answers do seem very unfair at the moment but perhaps there is a greater purpose which I will find out someday in future.
Have you faced such dilemmas in your life? Do you have a Plan B? Or do you continue to unflinchingly work towards Plan A, though it may seem distant and unreachable. Look forward to your comments.
I am taking my blog to the next level with #MyFriendAlexa in association with Blogchatter.
Perfect. One needs to have a Plan A in some of the shaky situations.
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True that
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Would I look like a complete waste if I say I don’t believe in planning? I never planned to take a break post maternity but it happened. Blogging was an unplanned temporary distraction that became a part of my life and is now helping me know and meet people and get work through writing. Had I stuck in my job I would be a bored person by now. ‘Take each day as it comes’ is my philosophy.
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Looks like it worked for you. I am quite the planner but I realised the master plan is with God.
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I never have a plan B. I always live in the moment and never plan for the future. I take things, as they hit 🙂
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That’s a good way of looking at life.
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Plans are amazing! Sometimes,I just don’t plan things. It makes me feel like I am trying to hold on to things that I don’t want to leave. I am slowly becoming a planner addict that I am losing my sleep as well sometimes! I wish you find the heart to do what you must, Aks!
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Thanks for your kind wishes Jayanthy!
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I always ensure to work and fulfill my Plan A.
If that really doesn’t work out, then I’d make a plan B and work on it.
But yes, I do have a plan B ready always! It makes sense for me to be ready for any situation.
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It does help! Thanks for stopping by.
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To be very honest I don’t plan or think about the next day or even the future. As per my professional qualification, the cautious hit me on the head and ask for planning but, nope I am rigid.
I take it as it comes, of course, a little security and basic leverage of understanding are in place, but no Plan B.
I have met the founder of Humans of Bombay, and the kind of work they are doing in philanthropy is astonishing.
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I am getting this from many people surprisingly but I guess that works! Causes less stress.
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I always end up doing unplanned stuff :p
Flying to US with some good promotion was my initial planning and than parents fixed my marriage, had to leave Pune and adjust to an altogether new city and weather here in Sindhudurg 🙂 I don’t regret the decision of marriage as Nitin is very supportive and made me understand working for yourself is best rather than working under someone and the blogging journey started 🙂
#vigorousreads #MyFriendAlexa
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That’s great to hear Varsha .. life has better plans sometimes.
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Plans when don’t work, stress you more. So, let’s just live in the moment and face it as it comes. I do believe planning will help you sort your life but then there’ll be no fun!
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Hahha i do feel that pressure sometimes.
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I used to be a long-term planner but slowly with time, I realsied that it’s better to leave things and go with the flow. Of course, it’s better to have a plan B as it helps as life is unpredictable but one should just take it easy and not plan too much.
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True take it easy and discover things as they come – I do feel its less stressful than seeing your plans go haywire!
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When I was in my in my 20s I used to plan a lot… However, like you, I found out that plans did not work all the time… For me, my life hardly went on as planned… Maybe, I did not try enough to achieve them… Now, at this point in my life, I just go with the flow… No plans at all!
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Go with the flow sounds good too! Take each day as it comes
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I always plan things and yes I do keep plan B as an option. It is always good to be prepared than suffering! Great post!
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Thats what I have realised as well Surabhi!
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Though while attempting to work on Plan A, I will not have plan B in my mind, But I keep Plan B with me always..
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Always planning doesn’t work, it’s right that we should have alternate plans but many a times we need to work basis the situations and there plannings fail.
#MyFriendAlexa #mommyinmereads
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True life definitely teaches us a lesson or two. I agree with you on this one.
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Keep a plan B ready in your mind . Work passionately on A But don’t be disheartened if things don’t work out . Switch over to B and again work passionately . If one door closes the other opens up .
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Thats sage advice Monika!
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I see that you are a chartered accountant so you will completely or partially at least relate to what I have to say about Plan B. While I was doing my CA I give multiple attempts and I was getting fed up. Quitting wasn’t an option at first but later on I realised that quitting isn’t as bad as people claim it be. That’s when I had my plan B so when I made up my mind that I would quit after certain number of attempts things fell into place and finally I cleared CA. 🙂
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That’s wonderful to hear! That it fell in place. For me I always had a Plan A – clearing CA in first attempt with an All India Rank. And I achieved it. But after CA I realised when it came to the trek world it was a different story altogether
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Honestly, this is confusing. I have always supported having backup plans but ever since, I got introduce to the concept of manifestation – the alchemist, the power, the secret and hundreds of other books…
I feel having a plan b sets me up for failures. Still thinking what to do … really! heheh
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This is true! I am with you.
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It’s a contradictory topic and no one way of looking at it. I have always been a Plan A. But I have begun to realise there are things beyond my control which determine the result and hence better to have a Plan B
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This gives me another dimension the my thinking! Not having a plan B and working with your heart and soul towards plan A – seems like new idea to me, I haven’t thought of it. I am a person who always has a plan B, if possible – plan C and plan D as well 😂
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That works is what I have begun to feel as well now
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I am a firm believer in the adage – “whatever happens always happens for the good.” Smell the wild flowers as you pass them by.
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Just like my mom. I too hope I can see something good in what seems like a bad deal at the moment
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Planning is important but at the same time doing things spontaneous is fun too.
Working wholeheartedly for plan A is what I believe in. But life doesn’t end if the plan A is not working. Life will take its course and we will find a way, regardless of plan A or plan B.
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Very true its important to keep in mind that if Plan A fails its not the end of life. Something will work out and hopefully for the better.
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As far as I know, it is good to have a plan A so the universe is not confused with what to give u B, C or D!! 🙂 Yet I have taken life as it comes, my plans have all failed in life and I never had another plan to chart out a future course. Yet I live with the thought that when one door closes another opens. So,I keep flying from one wish to another wondering if this is my calling and will it click. Maybe in the process, I become a jack of all but it is what it is.. Just like I took up blogging when I did not realize I may even want to write!! 🙂
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Such is life! Thanks for sharing your amazing story Sudha. Reading all the comments on this post has given me new perspectives.
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