A couple of weeks ago, a manager was talking about how much they enjoyed working for their new boss and were glad they had started job searching earlier in the year due to an uneasy feeling with changes being made in their department. Sure enough, when the company was acquired a month ago, their position was eliminated and if they had not planned ahead they would have felt a great deal of pressure to land a job fast.
That’s the benefit of having a back-up plan; it gives you choices and time. However, not everyone agrees with making plans and instead leverages the pressure of choosing to commit to one path with no need for a contingency plan.
Granted, without the safety net of having a plan B and using pressure as a way to fully commit to succeeding will most likely cause you to focus. Living life without a safety net can work for some people however for the most part when its career oriented it can lead to feeling lost without a direction.
Entrepreneurs tend to view risk taking and commitment in a different way by describing the greatest risk as not acting on their dreams. Similarly, in spite of not having a guarantee of a steady income, entrepreneurs still use planning to keep their goals moving forward. The “all or nothing” mentality of being fully committed is there but so is their ability to plan.
Plan B’s are nothing new; engineers planning for the unexpected and the “saving for a rainy day” attitude are all based on avoiding a crisis. In looking at career situations, those that lost their jobs unexpectedly, compared with those who had a back-up plan, will tell you the most valuable lesson learned is to always have a mindset of looking ahead.
Harvey Mackay, a New York Times best-selling author and speaker, believes “your career is no place to wing it.” From getting an education to developing skills in landing your first job, knowing what path you want to take requires forethought. When asked about his thoughts on important skills for leaders, Mackay responded with “it’s hard to beat a hungry fighter, but there are a lot of other traits that I look for, like planning skills.”
He is not alone. According to a survey of hiring managers conducted by NACE, National Association of Colleges and Employers, in asking what skills they prioritize when hiring college grads – planning ranked No. 3 out the top 10 skills.
Ask anyone who has failed to back up their computer files about the need to plan for the unexpected and you probably would get an earful of never making that mistake again.
Gambling with your career and income is not a smart move. Having a plan B doesn’t mean you can relax on the job knowing that if something happens you are protected; rather, it means having the confidence in knowing you are prepared to face any sudden challenges thrown your way.
If you find it difficult to answer the question, “What would happen if you lost your income tomorrow?” Chances are you need a plan B, and knowing you have one just in case keeps your career in check.
What are thoughts about having a plan B? Does having one keep you from being fully committed to your job?
