Having a backup plan may reduce our efforts towards our primary goal, making it less likely to succeed.

We've all heard the advice to have a backup plan in case things don't go as expected. But recent research suggests that thinking through a backup plan may actually reduce our motivation to achieve our primary goal. Here's why having a Plan B can sometimes be a hindrance rather than a help:

1. Psychological safety: When we have a backup plan in place, we feel a sense of psychological safety. We know that if our primary goal fails, we have something to fall back on. While this sense of security can be comforting, it can also make us complacent and less likely to put in the effort to make our primary goal a success.

2. Opportunity cost: When we spend time and energy thinking through a backup plan, we are taking resources away from our primary goal. This can lead to a lack of focus and less effort toward our primary goal, making it less likely to succeed.

3. Self-fulfilling prophecy: When we have a backup plan in place, we may subconsciously expect our primary goal to fail. This can become a self-fulfilling prophecy, as we may not put in the necessary effort to make our primary goal a success.

Of course, having a backup plan can be useful in certain situations. But it's important to be aware of the potential downsides and to ensure that our backup plan does not become a distraction from our primary goal. By focusing our efforts on our primary goal and staying committed to its success, we can increase our chances of achieving it.