Action plans are great tools. I urge you to use them.

But I also urge you to use them loosely. Stuff happens. We don’t know the future. Priorities may change, and that’s okay.

It’s fine to tweak. Truly. In fact, since you don’t know everything and you don’t rule the world, it’s pretty much required. Knowing this as you make action plans and work them out helps a great deal.

• As you create your plan, allow for other options. Don’t think of your plan as etched in stone. You can also add in any ideas that come to mind, as you draft your plan, as a side note for any step. Or you can simply keep your brainstorming notes for reference when you have to make adjustments along the way. This is your contingency plan.

• Continue to hold your plan loosely as you work it. Don’t let yourself think that one thing not happening as you wrote it will spoil the whole project. Practice responding to unforeseen changes with, “That’s okay. Now what will we do?” Your problem-solving skills will only get better and better each day.

• Appreciate the path when you are done. Look back at how you arrived with a smile. It will help you as you start the next plan.

Remember, if Plan A doesn’t work out as you thought, don’t give up. Plans B and C and D are just other creative ways to move forward.