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  • Stress blog

  • Nov. 30, 2010

    Contingency planning is more than just talk

    By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.

5 comments posted

As you go through life, you probably have a Plan A — hopes, dreams, relationships and achievements you hope to attain. Do you also have a Plan B? Or do you just hope for the best?

Need more help?

If the stress in your life is more than you can cope with, get help right away.

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
    1-800-273-TALK (8255)
  • Go to the nearest hospital or emergency room
  • Call your physician, health provider or clergy
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness
    www.nami.org
    1-800-950-NAMI (6264)

The question occurred to me while on a recent trip. A number of flights were canceled or delayed, and my travel companions and I agreed we needed a backup plan. The consensus was that we should take a bus to a neighboring city and fly out of that city to our final destination.

Everybody agreed this was a good plan, and we relaxed with cups of coffee as we congratulated ourselves on our brilliance. However, no one took charge of the plan. None of us made connections with the bus company, and none of us looked into alternate flights. So we really weren't prepared to cope with a cancellation or any other kink in our plans.

My point is that just talking about Plan B doesn't make it happen. You have to be proactive. In fact, you must make a conscious effort to create a viable contingency plan instead of sticking your head in the sand or giving it only lip service.

5 comments posted

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MY01602 Nov. 30, 2010

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