How do you react when things don’t go as planned?

My Wednesday Wish for You: Grace in the Pivot

What’s your reaction when things don’t go as planned? Do you shut down? Lash out? Panic? Or maybe just feel quietly defeated?

We’ve all been there—relying on someone who doesn’t come through, watching a plan unravel after all the effort. It’s frustrating, and it’s human to feel that. But how we respond can either derail us or redirect us.

One helpful practice is managing expectations up front. If someone else is responsible for a part of the outcome, be clear about what success looks like and what the stakes are. Set check-in points, define timelines, and be sure they understand how their part fits into the whole.

But just as important: manage your expectations. Things may still go sideways. That doesn’t mean you failed.

Holding your plans a bit more loosely can actually make you more resilient. Here are a few ways to prepare for the pivot:

 Name your non-negotiables and what can flex. What must happen—and what just ideally happens?
 Have a plan B—and maybe even a plan C. Knowing your backup options makes you feel less stuck.
 Leave margin in your schedule or project plan. A little breathing room goes a long way.
 Pause before reacting. Take a breath, then ask: “What’s possible now?”
 Ask for input. Sometimes a different perspective reveals a path you didn’t see.

My wish for you this week is this: When things don’t go as planned, may you have the clarity to adapt and the grace to keep going. The pivot might just lead you somewhere even better.

Are you investing the time and resources to grow personally and professionally?