I've always told myself that I want to plan for things to go amazingly well in my life so that way I'm not caught off-guard if they do. The thought of failing even when the best case scenario happens (or worse, BECAUSE the best case scenario happens) just always seemed like such a waste. It's a bit like wanting to get laid but not owning a single condom. You can get exactly what you want, and things can still go horribly wrong.
I traditionally viewed this from a defensive perspective: "I don't want to be caught off-guard if I succeed." It's a very protectionist attitude. But I'm starting to realize how important the offensive side of this equation is too. If you want to be successful, I think you have to bet on your own success. I think you have to plan as if things are going to go perfectly not just to defend against failure but to create your own future and luck. Thinking from the offensive angle does more than just ensure you aren't caught off-guard if you find success; I think it actually drives you to succeed in the first place.
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