A few years ago, I moved to another continent and country. The culture, climate and everything in-between was new and very different from much that I was used to. Regularly, before and after the move, people asked me the same questions, being: “Why?” and “How are you enjoying the change?” It was as though they expect me to complain or regret my choice. But my reply is always the same: “There is no Plan B so I am determined to make Plan A a wonderful success!”
The absence of a viable alternative or obviously better plan is such a blessing. But the real point is not the absence of a substitute, but rather the total decision not to give any other arrangement any air or space to fester.
Very occasionally, you have to make big choices where the decision precludes and includes many subsequent aspects of your life. Choosing a partner, career, home, place to live, or employer are just a few of such binary (Yes/No) dilemmas.
A good way to undermine your final selection is to second guess your conclusion, regret your conclusion, ask “What if?” and/or replay your decision making process. It sounds like even after your selection there still seems to be a Plan B on the table. But there isn’t, unless your decision was half-hearted and naïve.
When you are in one of those Plan A or B decision moments, do spend the time making the trade-offs, and weighing the pros and cons. But also acknowledge in advance there will be elements of regret and disappointment, as this is the nature of life. With informed consent, you need to buy-in accordingly, and let go of any cognitive dissonance (after the fact regret).
Living your life as though there is always a Plan B out there significantly depreciates your well-being. You are trapped in the puzzle of reliving your past, corrupting your future and hollowing out your present moments. Buying into your Plan A and perpetually upgrading it makes the very thought of Plan B unwanted and unwarranted.
Once Plan A is in play, THERE IS NO LONGER A PLAN B (THANKFULLY)!
Reflection Source: www.Smallercup.org
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