If you're a perfectionist—or just overly-attached to outcomes—you might cling to the plans you made like they're all that holds you together.

Me, I feel I need a plan. I need to spend the time to put down on a paper how fifty different pieces will fit together nice and snug and bring about whatever I need to happen.

But I've found that my plans are fragile things—if one piece is removed or modified, the whole thing falls apart.

I envisioned one—and only one—way for this thing to work.

Change one thing and I don't know if it will work. I can no longer guarantee this ship will carry us home.

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When this happens, I freak out—break down. I say, "to hell with this plan," and I jump ship.

When she sinks, I'll be miles away.

My plan didn't fail. I didn't fail. Someone changed things on me and compromised the plan's integrity.

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I'm afraid to fail.
I'm afraid to lose control.

For all my creativity, I can't adapt.
My anxiety won't let me.

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But it's all nonsense.

The goals my plan was supposed to ensure were nonsense; I made 'em up. The changes are nonsense; no one is gouging irreparable holes in the hull. The ship is nonsense; there are a million more—and hell, the water's warm.

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Here's my mindset shift (I'll let you know how it works):

I don't know if this ship will make it to shore—and if she does, I don't know how long she'll take.

But I don't have to fear her sinking; I don't have to worry about how fast she'll go.

She’ll go as she goes, and I can simply watch her with an excited curiosity.

Put her together and see how she moves. Swap out materials and see how she holds up. Take out the engine; add some wings; light a fire in her belly and see if she'll fly.

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Don't get too attached to outcomes.
Don't fall in love with plans.

Have faith; stay curious.