The Mechanism of Planning for 'Failure': A Habit Strategy for Those Who Struggle to Keep Going

── Days when you can't keep going will inevitably come. That is why you must prepare by 'assuming you won't be able to.'

Hello, I'm Shintaro.
As a body-make coach, I design 'systems for consistency' for my clients.

Many people start taking action with the desire to 'keep it up.'
But after a few days or weeks, they suddenly stop.

It's not a matter of motivation in the first place;
you stop because you are planning without anticipating that you will stop.

So, this time, I will sharea habit-building strategy of preparing 'Plan A' and 'Plan B' in advance—the Plan B Strategy with you.

This design is especially useful for those who have a past of not being able to keep things up.

By the time you finish reading this note, you will:

• Be able to anticipate the 'starting point' where your consistency breaks down

• Learn how to avoid hitting zero even on days when you can't keep going

• Understand how to design habits that don't collapse even when there are 'days you don't have to do it'

• Reduce the habit of blaming yourself every time your actions stop

Such changes will occur.

This is not about motivation or willpower, but
a story about systems that allow you to keep going.

Assuming 'days you can't do it' is the prerequisite for habits

Everyone has days in their life such as:

• Days when you are tired

• Days when unexpected plans come up

• Days when the weather is bad

• Days when you are not feeling well

At these times,
there are.

Once you decide this, it becomes easier to stop the next day as well.
This is what is known as being a 'three-day monk' or dropping out halfway.

That is why it is important to
anticipate the days you won't be able to continue in advance.

If you anticipate them, you can respond when you hit a wall with a 'pre-determined way to act'.

Plan A and Plan B: A Two-Part Design

This is where we get to the main point.

To ensure your habits never break,
prepare a 'Plan A' and a 'Plan B'.

■ Plan A: Ideal Action

This is the action you want to take when you are in perfect condition.
Example:

• "Run for 30 minutes"

• "Complete 3 sets of workout videos"

• "Study for 1 hour"

If you can do this, that's great.

■ Plan B: Minimum Action

On days when you can't keep going, Plan A is usually impossible.
Therefore,decide on an action you can 'definitely do'even in that day's condition.

This is Plan B.

The point is to
lower the hurdle to a level where you think, 'I can do this'.

The brain tends to overestimate your future self.

More than you think...
your future self will not act as you expect.

Plan B is not a compromise, but a 'design for consistency'

Plan B is not
'something you'd rather not do if possible'
or
'something that depends on your motivation'.

It is a design to eliminate the option of not doing it.

Even on days when you lack motivation, are tired, or have a packed schedule,
Plan B ensures you don't revert to a 'state of not doing'.

And that accumulation

creates a successful experience,
and as that builds up,
your brain will start to judge that 'this person is consistent'.

Points to keep in mind when creating Plan B

Regarding points to keep in mind when setting Plan B

● Do not set the bar too high

If you set a high-level alternative thinking
'my future self can do it',
it will end up being the reason you don't do it.Plan B should be lowered to a realistic minimum line.

Plan B should be lowered to a realistic minimum line.

● Plan B is a 'rule', not just a means

It is meaningless if it is just an alternative.
'If Plan A is impossible, do this without hesitation'
is an important rule to establish.

● It is okay to prepare multiple Plan Bs

Depending on the situation,
it is fine to decide on a few.

Choose the minimum action that fits the situation.

▼▼ It becomes an even better mechanism when combined with the 'keep it small' mindset.

Acquire the 'Design Thinking' to keep going

The Plan B strategy is not
merely an 'alternative'.

It is a design mindset to avoid the problem of not being able to continue in advance.

Please let go of the idea that 'if you don't do it perfectly, there's no point'.

Rather,

Summary | Mindset for not quitting habits

• Days when you can't continue will definitely come

• Plan for that in advance

• Plan A is the goal, Plan B is the guarantee of continuity

• Plan B is a 'design that eliminates the option of not doing it'

• Prioritize the feeling of not breaking the chain over the number of days continued

This Plan B strategy is especially useful for those who have a past of not being able to continue.

Please try preparing an 'A Plan / B Plan' for your own habits as well.

To those who have read this far and feel... 'I understand, but I feel like I'll stop at the same place again'.

Mindset is important for habit formation.

I have summarized a way of thinking for 'coming back' when things fall apart, rather than just how to continue, in another note.

[We have received happy feedback]

Recently, following individual consultations,

more people are telling me things like this.

It is okay not to force yourself to change.

I would be happy if you could remember me
at the moment you feel it is necessary.

Please contact me viaThreads or X DMs.