Author: Gus Bageanis

You can plan all you want. Plot your next move. Line up the next promotion. Schedule every milestone down to the month.

And I’m not knocking preparation—it’s necessary. But here’s what no one likes to admit:

If you’re not willing to adjust, adapt, and evolve… even the best plan will fail.

In my line of work, I talk with high-performers every single day. Sharp leaders. Big vision. Strong track records. But sometimes, they’re holding so tightly to “the plan” that they ignore what the market, their gut, or even life itself is telling them.

They stay the course, even when the course is clearly heading off a cliff.

That’s not strategy. That’s stubbornness.

What separates the leaders who thrive from the ones who stall out? Grit.

Not just grit in the way we usually think about it—toughness, resilience, “stick-to-itiveness.” I’m talking about a deeper kind of grit:

• The grit to listen when things aren’t working
• The grit to pivot when needed, even if it means swallowing your pride
• The grit to move forward without knowing exactly what’s next—but trusting you’ll figure it out

Some of the most successful people I know didn’t follow a straight line. They took detours. They made lateral moves. They stepped back in order to leap forward. They adjusted. They adapted.

They didn’t abandon the goal. But they let go of the way they thought it had to happen.

And that made all the difference.

Whether you’re leading a team, managing your own career, or navigating a major life shift—remember this:

You don’t have to throw out the plan. You just have to stop worshiping it.

Stay focused. Stay flexible. Keep your eyes on the bigger picture.

Because grit isn’t just about grinding through—it’s about knowing when to shift, without giving up on what matters.

That’s how careers evolve. That’s how leaders grow.

And that’s how you turn setbacks into momentum.