When Things Don’t Go According to Plan

A plan changing does not automatically mean the goal is over.

1. Name What Changed

What happened that you did not expect? Be specific before deciding what it means.

2. Separate the Goal From the Original Plan

Ask: “Do I still want the same outcome, even if I need a different path?”

Sometimes the goal stays and the plan changes. Sometimes new information means the goal should change too.

3. Find What Is Still Possible

• What resources do I still have?
• What can I do now?
• Who can help?
• What is another route?
• What have I learned that changes the plan?

Try It

You planned to finish a group project after school, but one group member is absent and another cannot stay. What parts of the goal stay the same? What could the new plan be?

💡 Funky Tip

Flexible does not mean careless. It means you can change the route while still thinking about the purpose.

I can do hard things.

Sometimes the hard thing is letting go of the plan you expected and building the next one.

🎒 Take It With You

Pause → name what changed → protect the purpose → build the next plan.