Here is the truth – I always have a Plan B. So this concept scares me to my core. But stick with me and see if you can dare to eliminate Plan B from your business planning.

The concept came to mind recently when my son was applying to medical school. In that anxious time between interviews and getting “the” letter I asked him in my most casual voice “Hey sweetie, have you given any thought to a Plan B?” I will never quite forget his look or his words. Steely eyes, strong, steady, determined voice and uncharacteristically, an immediate response: “There is no plan B.” How exactly do you reply to that? So I did my best and said, “Well okay then, what do you feel like for supper?” I know it was a mother-fail moment but the whole concept shook me.

phil knight and the meaning of plan a.

I devoured Shoe Dog, Phil Knight’s memoir. The book is a perfect example of story telling at its best. I became more loyal to his vision with every page. Then again, even way back when I was an early adopter, and in a pair of waffle trainers as soon as I could get them – so likely I was a shoe-in to read the book.

Nike’s success was not an easy road or a straight road (which brought even more appeal.) Many, many, times even with sales well past the million-dollar mark Nike was still courting bankruptcy. In fact a re-occurring conversation in his book were the countless times his wife would ask, “what will happen if this doesn’t work?” and repeatedly he responded “I don’t know.” (There should be a special shrine for the spouses of entrepreneurs.)

Phil Knight had no Plan B. His “crazy shoe idea” as he calls it, was never, not going to work. After each crushing setback and each triumph he did the same thing. He just kept re-committing to his vision. That takes back breaking, soul-sourced courage.

plan b zaps your energy.

Plan B takes so much work! The “staying up all night, what-if worries”, the “maybe I should” moments, that never generate action. The dizzying spin of “if this happens, then I will do this and if it doesn’t – then …” thinking. Honestly, it is so exhausting and such an extravagant waste of energy. The good news is we don’t have to go down this path. We can simply eliminate Plan B and illuminate Plan A. Get really clear on what Plan A means to your customer and to you. Shine the light on where you are going and dissect how it aligns with your vision. Not easy stuff, but neither is worrying all night long.

all in with plan a?

What if we put every ounce of our energy into Plan A and not take one sneaky peak at Plan B, what would happen? Seriously, what would happen?

I am going to give it a whirl. Care to throw your hand into the pile and declare: “I’m all in with Plan A”?

*This is not a paid for or solicited review of the book Shoe Dog. They usually get people like Michael Jordan to do stuff like that.

Take the leap?

I am a passionate optimist. So, clichés like “take the leap” and “jump and you’ll find your wings” naturally appeal to me. However, these philosophies could never apply to my business. Nor do I think it applies to many successful businesses.

Even Duke, the well-loved dog gets it. He looks like he is flying through the air with abandon, free from all the cares in the world… but that only happens when he is sure the ball is out there waiting for him. In fact, if at the last minute I decide not to throw the ball for him, he comes to a screeching halt. His focus is laser sharp.

As entrepreneurs we can learn from Duke’s approach.

First off, want it. Want it badly.

Duke wants the ball – all the time – day or night, in snow, hail sleet or sun!

Know how to get where you want to go (aka a business plan). Expect that winds and rain will throw you off course and that you might need to paddle harder than you’ve ever imagined to get where you want to go.

Like Duke, keep your eye on the ball. Whatever it is that you are reaching for, keep it in your minds eye, write it on post it’s, put it on a t-shirt, vision board it, journal about it, just keep it close and in sight.

If the ball you are chasing is not really the one you want? Come to a screeching halt and re-evaluate. Trust your instincts, be open and hoenst to what your instincts, your research and your heart are telling you.Listening can be as important as doing.

Then take a page from Duke’s play book. Get the ball in your grasp, head back to shore, shake off, soak up some sun and get ready to do it all over again. Eyes gleaming.

Successful entrepreneurs only look like they are leaping into thin air. The ones that make a difference in the lives of others have a firm grasp on what drives their passion, have a clear plan on how to get there, and have the grit and determination to paddle hard.

Ready to take the leap?

Do what you love and the rest will come.

This was the philosophy I grew up on. (With Valentines Day around the corner it seemed like a fitting blog to write).

My Dad was a firm believer in all things positive long before it was trendy. He could see the good in anyone and anything. He would tell you he never worked a day in his life and there was an energy about him that just made you believe that anything was possible. I soaked it up.

But I do remember a night very clearly when I owned Starstruck a clothing manufacturing company (read about it here) and I called home and the conversation went something  like this:

Me: So Dad a whole container of fabric is lost. We have some unforgiving retailers waiting on us and I don’t know how we can deliver on time. I’m loving this a whole lot Dad truely I am but when will “the rest” come? I’m worried “the rest” is lost with the fabric and there is no tracking number?

Dad: It’ll come Jano. It’ll come. Just hang in there.

I hung up the phone sort of stomping about wanting a better answer. How could he be so darn sure?

As entrepreneurs we know life isn’t always sunshine and roses. There are long exhausting days that try us in a way nothing else can. Our faith can be shaken in ourselves, in our products and in our business. And we might not be able to see it at the time but there is real magic in being shaken to the core like that. I think at the heart of the entrepreneur lies an unstoppable  faith that when we do what we love the rest really does come.

I miss my Dad everyday and his voice saying ‘It’ll come’ is as clear to me today as it was that night. And it’s advice I’m glad I’ve built my life and my business on.