Work Your Plan

In the midst of pursuing an ambitious goal, we sometimes question whether that goal was really feasible or whether instead we should revise our plans and settle for a partial achievement. I have gone both ways--stayed true to the original goal or downgraded to something less. In some cases, downgrading to a less ambitious achievement is the way to go. We can underestimate how big or difficult a task really is. If so, then adhering to the original goal is an instance of what psychologists call perseverance--an unhealthy insistence on continuing an activity even when it becomes counterproductive or even harmful. In such cases, changing our plans becomes the wise thing to do. But at other times we may waver even if our original goal is achievable, just more difficult than we first predicted. At times like these, when we can either downgrade or stay true, the best path is to adhere to the vision. Over time, such small victories can accumulate to something really significant.