Why “don’t have Plan B” doesn’t always work — when Plan A sucks

Arnie has a famous line: “Don’t have a Plan B.”

He used this strategy to push himself moment to moment to become Mr Universe. To be who he is. And it’s good advice — to some.

Just not to everyone.

If everyone took that advice, thousands would leave the day job and jump into writing fiction. Hoping that things would work out. It did work out for Arnie but…

There are a few parts to the story that he — perhaps inadvertently — glosses over in the journey to his goal.

Let’s compare Arnie’s path to a passionate fiction author:

1. He had a defined path. There are few Mr. Universes. There are lots of movies looking for muscle-bound something-or-others. You want to write fiction? There’s no path.

2. He was already well on the path. Not everyone is suited to bodybuilding. He was. Passion supported by aptitude is essential.

3. The path didn’t rely on a random market. Arnie can keep pushing himself, knowing that the key is effort. Tell that to Edgar Allen Poe, one of the world’s best fiction authors who couldn’t make a dime.

4. The path was narrow. While few become Mr. Universe, there’s also only so many that can compete. Compare that to the amount of people in the world who can write and publish on the internet?

5. The path promised funding. Want to write — what’s your business model? Based on the number of successful authors on Amazon, most models for fiction authors don’t work.

6. His path didn’t require funding. He was willing and able to live with little income while he walked that path. Anyone with a family doesn’t have that option.

Don’t have plan B might be good advice.

But only for some. And only in certain circumstances. If you want to take that advice, make sure you meet those circumstances.