“I hate Plan B.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger once said this in a speech, and his message hit me hard in the stomach during a time of doubts and vagueness.
Sounds inspiring. And risky.
Then again, other voices plead: always have a backup plan.
Looking back at my own path, I think both are right.
The Moment I Split My Focus
Around 2014, I made a decision:
I wanted to become a freelance illustrator.
That was the dream goal.
But, while working on my portfolio, doubt crept in:
What if my illustrations aren’t good enough?
What if I don’t get clients?
What if I fail?
Building a Safety Net
Suddenly, I found myself building a Plan B alongside my dream:
I had years of experience designing T-shirt graphics for brands and knew the pain points of this fast-paced business.
So, I invested weeks developing a platform that would constantly provide fashion companies with high-quality designs. I built the site and created dozens of graphics upfront. But then truth hit:
There was absolutely no passion in me for this “solid” business plan.
Picturing myself churning out graphics like an assembly line again felt like a nightmare.
Arnold’s Wake-Up Call
That’s the time I stumbled upon Arnold Schwarzenegger’s quote—and it changed something.
Instead of trying to win two games at the same time, I doubled down on my dream. And within months, I had my first illustration commissions.
Looking back, my Plan B wasn’t a safety net at all. It was an anchor.
An anchor just drags you down, slowly, while you still feel like you’re standing. That’s what I had built for myself: a clever, reasonable, passionless trap.
So yes—I feel Arnold’s advice.
And I needed to hear it.
Plan b
The plan with a b, however, is different.
It’s not a second dream.
It’s one of many paths within your Plan A.
As an illustrator, that might mean experimenting with new styles.
Or learning animation tools to expand services.
Or starting an online shop to sell prints.
Bottom Line
Plan A is a heart decision—listening to what you love and committing fully. There is no Plan B.
Plans a, b, c, d… are brain decisions—the strategic ones, the tactical side routes that make your plan A stronger and protect your dream.
One is the fire. The other is the wood to keep it burning.
Return to the Notebook
If this sparked something in you—a memory, a disagreement, a question, or a story—write it down.
Not polished. Not perfect. Not for approval.
Just honest thoughts.
And if you’d like, send it to me. I’d love to hear it. I’ll be sharing selected reader reflections in my Open Notebook, alongside my own raw extended versions of Tuesday Thoughts.
Thanks for your valuable Attention.
See you tomorrow.
Sergio