The power of Plan B

No, I’m not referring to the legendary American morning-after pill! I’m talking about the backup blueprint, the reset, the twist in the tale when we realise, we can no longer continue with Plan A…

…Isn’t it amazing how life has a way of teaching us something new each day? Sometimes the lessons are small. Other times they hit us hard – reminding us that growth only comes when we pay attention. I learned a thing or two about Plan B this winter; and I also learned something about the importance of strategy…

We all roll our eyes at a “Plan B”, don’t we? Like it’s a compromise, some desperate consolation prize we reluctantly dig up when Plan A flops. It carries a faint whiff of failure, like admitting defeat. But what if Plan B is actually the secret hero of your story – the plot twist, the unexpected upgrade that turns a good story into a great one?

…If there’s one thing sport teaches us, it’s this: nobody stays on top forever. Even champions stumble. After 13 wins in a row, the Boks lost to the Wallabies a fortnight ago. We felt it, deeply, and we are all still reeling from that devastating defeat. And let’s not even start on Dricus du Plessis’ loss that same weekend! Pinned to the ground for five rounds, the South African seemed completely helpless against Khamzat’s unstoppable pressure…

But we have no doubts that our beloved MMA fighter will be back. Dricus is known for his resilience. Same with the Boks – I wish I could’ve been a fly to see Rassie confront the team after that loss…During the press conference Rassie summed the match up with two unrepeatable words – and honestly, they fit. The Boks’ loss felt exactly that bad!

Three days later Rassie smilingly said: “When your mom sends you a message to say, “I still love you – things aren’t lekker…” Our Green and Gold team regrouped, strategized anew, and turned the tables last Saturday with a solid win…

In her novel “Seven Year Switch” the American writer Claire Cook says: “If Plan A doesn’t work, the alphabet has 25 more letters.”

Just like the Boks shifted gears last Saturday, we know Dricus will. Because Plan B is not second best – it’s an upgrade of wisdom! Adjusting. Regrouping. Strategizing differently. And that’s not weakness; it’s mastery!

We tend to think that strategy is just relevant in sports, or meant for the boardroom, but it’s a tool we can all use to navigate our lives more effectively. Strategy is asking better questions. Strategy is courage disguised as common sense. And Plan B is strategy in motion. It’s about being smart enough to change course!

This reminds me of the story of “The Dog and the Nail”:

A man walks into an old general store. As he moves through the aisles, he notices a dog lying beside the checkout counter, whimpering and whining. The man asks the owner: “Your dog seems to be in pain. What’s the problem?”

The owner responds: “Oh, that’s just old Rover. That’s where he lays and naps every day. He’s whimpering because over time a nail has worn through the floorboard, and it hurts him.”

“Why doesn’t he just move?”, says the visitor.

The owner replies, “Well, I guess it just doesn’t hurt enough to move.”

That’s exactly what Plan A can feel like sometimes. It’s worked for a long time, and now we feel the sting, because it’s not as efficient anymore, but we stay stuck because it’s familiar. The power of Plan B is choosing to get up, shake it off, and move – because there’s a better place waiting, once you’re brave enough to shift.

As the distinguished American economist, Cynthia Montgomery, writes in her book “The Strategist”: “Strategy is not a destination or a solution. It’s a journey.”

After hosting 30 successful fitness challenges, I have thought long and hard, and I realise that this is exactly what we need going forward: a new strategy. Why? Because people grow. Times change. And so must we. That’s why we are shaking things up in number 31. This Challenge will look different, feel different, and will bring out the best in all of us in a whole new way…

Strategic thinking is the game-changer our studio needs going forward. It will allow us to focus on what truly matters, reduce stress, and create satisfaction. And that’s the whole point of opening our doors in the first place – to inspire our members to be the best, happiest versions of themselves!

We only have so much time and energy in our lives. If we want to achieve the best results, we need to spend that time and energy wisely…Growth doesn’t come from doing the same thing over, and over. It comes from daring to shift the plan, to try something different and embrace a fresh approach. The American author, Marianne Williamson recently said: “You don’t need a new life. You need a new lens.”

We don’t need to start over. We just need a better way forward, shifting our vision…

…And you? When was the last time you shifted your gaze, and looked at your life with new eyes? No, not the eyes of who you’ve been, but the ones of who you’re ready to become. Or doesn’t it hurt enough to move…?

Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is to pause and ask: Does my current Plan A strategy still serve me?

Maybe your old strategy for staying healthy was to “eat less,” but now your wiser self knows it’s about “nourishing your body with good food.” Perhaps your strategy for fitness used to be “exercise when I have time,” but your heart knows you’re worth scheduling those workouts as non-negotiable appointments with yourself.

Big change doesn’t always come from dramatic action – often, it’s about updating the small strategies that quietly shape our results. Maybe this new season is the perfect time for your backup blueprint, your recalibrating reset!

Strategies aren’t set in stone – they’re living, breathing choices that can be reshaped as we grow.  So, here’s to realigning our strategies, rewriting our stories, reshaping our standards, and renewing our strengths.

Embrace your plan B. It’s not a compromise – it’s the gateway to growth.

Because, as the saying goes: “Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not bend out of shape…”

Yours in fitness

Mirna
082 779 0507