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Keep your backup plans in motion
Instead of responding to vindictiveness in kind, respond proactively.
Feel people out, pay attention to the vibes around you, and watch how people treat you in front of others and behind closed doors. Most importantly, pay attention to how you feel around people, things, opportunities, and events.
When you stay in tune with yourself, you catch things early.
The Mid-Life Crisis Spouse
Lisa’s spouse decided to leave their marriage abruptly and kindly left her with all the bills, mortgage, and expenses. She wasn’t happy about it, but she could afford it. Not only did she have multiple sources of income, but she had an emergency fund, barely any debt, and the means to provide for herself financially multiple times over.
The Disgruntled Boss
Michael’s boss was obsessing over his personal involvements outside of work and also trying to micromanage every aspect of his work. Instead of responding with frustration, he planned ahead, started interviewing, and received several offers that were ten times better than his original position. He even landed a leadership position, though his boss said he didn’t demonstrate any leadership qualities.
The Flaky Roommate
Faven’s roommate decided to ditch America and go backpacking. Instead of freaking out, Faven had a 12-month emergency fund and two potential roommates who said they would be available to move in with at least a 30 days notice.
Lesson
Not only do people fall through, but opportunities also fall through (as we all know). Don’t simply have a backup plan; keep your backup plan in motion, so you’re unaffected by maliciousness, inconvenience, and could-be-unfortunate events.
When someone tells you “no,” have a “yes” ready to execute. We don’t need to get stuck on “no,” keep it moving, reevaluate what’s important to you (because we do evolve), and go for the better opportunity as soon as you notice the first red flag as the toxic one.
But take it a step further; whenever you enter a new opportunity, don’t expect it to fall through, but always be prepared for it to fall through.
Life happens and works in unexpected ways. The love of our life can turn into a 5-year spouse. The most loyal employer can turn into a disloyal employer. The perfect roommate can turn into your worst nightmare. The kind boss can turn into your evil boss that tries to destroy your career. The best friend can turn into your worst friend that tries to harm you in every way. As soon as you get enemy vibes from any person or entity, strategize, and pull together your next move, so when you’re enemy strikes, they miss you entirely.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.