Stop Chasing Ten-Year Plans: Why ABZ Planning Will Future-Proof Your Life

You’ve likely heard the standard advice: pick a dream, map a ten-year plan, and stick to it no matter what. It sounds good in a world that’s stable and predictable, but today, most people find life zigzags far more than it follows a straight track. Assignments change. Companies dissolve. Even your values and interests might shift.

That’s why entrepreneurs and adaptive professionals use what’s known as “ABZ Planning.” Plan A is the main move you’re making and how you are currently investing your strengths. Plan B is a related pivot or alternative—something you can explore if Plan A falters or if a new opportunity arises. Plan Z is your emergency plan, designed to keep you afloat if all else fails, so you never get knocked completely out of the game.

The classic “set a goal and never waver” approach is hazardous when things are in flux. Studies on adaptive expertise and ‘optionality’ in career development consistently show that those who develop multiple, flexible paths build longer-term resilience and learn better from feedback. ABZ Planning is about holding strong convictions but lightweight, reversible plans—acting boldly but preparing to pivot.

Let’s lay it out: jot down your current Plan A in clear terms—what you’re actively pursuing and why. Next, challenge yourself to name one or two backup directions (Plan B)—these should be rooted in your real skills or adjacent interests, not far-fetched dreams. Then, spell out a true fallback Plan Z, something you could survive on if all else fell through. Finally, pick a specific time next month to revisit and update these plans as your situation evolves. The world is changing, and so will you; keep these plans fresh to stay agile.