The Plan B Life

Redesigning your world when "Plan A" fails.

Lisa Manterfield

Throw Yourself a Party

Three Vital Ingredients for Change

A Change in Perspective

My own perceptions of a family had been shaped by the family I'd been born into. But when I looked around me, at the people I loved and whose company I chose to keep, I saw families of all types.

The Two-Year Plan

Out With the Old

It's mid-January already and my New Year hasn't yet begun. I feel as if I'm still spinning my wheels, playing catch-up, and going through the same old motions as last year. Sure, I've taken time to think about the coming year and I've set realistic goals, so why do I feel as if I'm still living in the same old year?

Are You Living Someone Else's Dream?

When Life Hands You Banana Peels…Slide, Learn, and Move On

Keeping an Eye on What's Important

Sometimes when we're trying to get our lives together, we lose track of what's important. We get so focused on our goals and tasks that we neglect the things that truly nurture us and give us the strength to keep going.

Exceeding Expectations

So often we set expectations for ourselves and when they don't work out we lament our misfortune or beat ourselves up for not achieving what we set out to do. But I'm coming to believe that life isn't supposed to go as planned. And sometimes out of those disappointments come unexpected and pleasant surprises.

Success and the Pressure to Perform

I was just a wannabe writer. But on publication day, everything changed. A higher expectation had been set for the quality of my work. And it was paralyzing.

Keep It Simple

So often we get caught up in our own way of doing things that we don't even look up to see the obvious solutions. This is where a second set of eyes (or ears) comes in.

Charting Your Success

Owning the Dream

The People Solution (or Networking for the Rest of Us)

Fall: The Perfect Time to Make New Year's Resolutions

Thinking about your New Year's Resolutions now can help you set meaningful goals that you'll stay committed to long after January has come and gone. Here are some tips to help you consider your long-term goals now so you're ready to hit the ground running before the New Year's Eve champagne wears off.

Changing "I Can't" to "I Can"

What can't you do? Do you have a health issue that prevents you from doing some of the things you once loved? Do you have obligations that prevent you from starting a new career? What's stopping you from getting what you want right now? A little attitude adjustment can turn "I can't" into "I can."

Get Back on Track with a Half-Year Assessment

Does it sometimes feel as if you're spinning your wheels? You set ambitious goals in the New Year and now we're well into the second half of the year and those goals are starting to look way out of reach. Don't panic. What you need is a half-year assessment.

The Next Hot Start-Up: You

As you launch your Plan B life, how do you take the first steps, stay motivated, and reach your goals? Thinking of yourself as an entrepreneur and your life as the "next big thing" can help you get creative and keep your plans on track.

cloud

Finding the Silver Lining in Loss

When our lives don't go as planned, it's easy - and natural - to look at the downside and focus on all the things we've lost, but looking for the silver lining, in even the most devastating of cases, can help speed the healing process.

Childhood Play: The Key to Finding Your Natural Gifts

“I can’t remember what I love to do anymore!” It’s the common cry of anyone who has spent time focusing on a goal and has lost track of what truly inspires them. Tapping childhood memories can help you discover forgotten passions and break open ideas for an exciting Plan B.

Letting go of the dream

Goals and dreams are critical to keep us growing and improving. But what if letting go of the dream is the best thing you could do for yourself? Here’s how to tell when it’s time to fold ’em and set your sights on something else.