What To Do When "Plan A" Falls Apart

It's sadly ironic that during a time when record numbers of people are out of work or are fearing for their jobs, the New York Times eliminates Shifting Careers, the wonderful career column and blog by Marci Alboher.

The good news for us readers is that Marci has a personal web site and gives every impression that she'll continue her career as a journalist and writer.

Marci smartly has not placed all of her eggs in one basket. Sure the NYT has been a plum gig, but she's got other clients as well. She has kept up with contacts and is following her own advice regarding what to do when you've been laid off - she's writing thank you notes to people who have helped her in her career over the years.

She's even able to look at what opportunities losing the daily deadline may bring her - in other words, she's devising Plan B.

So many of us are having to deviate from Plan A right now and come up with something else, whether it's a new job, a new marketing plan, a leaner personal spending plan, or the solution to a crisis. What helps when Plan A falls apart?

Turn to your tribe. Don't isolate yourself, as tempting as it may be. Allow others to listen, offer support, and brainstorm solutions with you.

Keep notes. Your mind will become overfull with worries, strategies and options - write them down as they occur to you. You can turn to your notes when you're sitting down to craft Plan B.

Take breaks from planning Plan B. You're writing your key ideas down, so every once in a while your mind can take a break from planning and ruminating. Do something that energizes you. Hang around people who make you laugh and help you keep your mind off your troubles.

Help someone else. It feels good to be useful to others, it combats isolation, we feel more grounded and appreciative. Good stuff.

Acknowledge you'll go through phases. You may be cool and rational one day, and depressed and fearful the next. Ups and downs are normal - expect both.

It's not fun when Plan A falls apart, but we're going to get through it. Plan B may even offer us more than we expect. I'm not going to drag out all the sayings about silver linings and lemonade and windows opening, but you get my drift.

I'd like to hear from you about what worked when you suddenly had to shift gears.