2025

Having a Back-Up Plan Keeps Our Dreams Alive

When Martin went into his garage on Saturday morning, he had only one goal in mind: fix the leak in the roof before the next downpour. He’d noticed the water stain growing across the ceiling in the guest room, and with the forecast calling for another week of thunderstorms, he had to fix now or risk more damage to his home.

He loaded his tool belt with a hammer, nails, and a roll of flashing and pulled out his old, aluminum ladder. Leaning it against the eaves, Martin placed his foot on the first rung. He heard his neighbor, Bill, call to him across the fence.

“You sure that ladder’s safe?”

Martin waved him off. “Been using it for years. Holds up just fine.”
When he reached the fourth rung, the ladder wobbled. The ground had softened from the previous rain, and before Martin could react, one of the legs sank, tipping the ladder sideways. In seconds, Martin was sprawled out on the grass, shaken and lucky to have avoided serious injury. The nails had scattered in every direction and the flashing had rolled across the yard.

As the ladder clattered against the siding, his neighbor ran to the fence to investigate the noise.

“You alright?” Reynolds asked, eyes wide.

“Yeah,” Martin replied, rubbing his shoulder. He was more embarrassed than hurt.

“Looks like you need a back-up,” Bill said, nodding toward his garage. “I have an extension ladder you can borrow. Safer for uneven ground.”
Martin hesitated, then accepted. In minutes, the two men set up the sturdier ladder and secured it with stabilizers. Martin climbed more carefully this time, checking his balance with every step. Before long the flashing was in place and the leak was sealed.

That evening, as he replayed the close call in his mind, Martin realized how fragile even the simplest of plans can be when they depend on a single element to hold together. One weak rung - one shaky foundation - and the whole thing can collapse.

Life works the same way. We set out with the best of intentions—whether repairing a roof, building a career, or navigating relationships—we tend to lean heavily on one approach. Yet, without a back-up plan, an unexpected slip can leave us flat on the ground.

Here are a few examples:

Careers. Job markets shift, industries change, and companies merge or downsize. Having a secondary skill set, a network outside your current field, or a side project offers a safety net when the ladder starts to wobble.

Finances. Relying on a single income stream is like balancing on one rung. An emergency fund, insurance, or even a modest side gig can offer stability when life decides to test your footing.

Health. You can have a perfect workout routine or healthy meal plan, but injury, illness, or stress can quickly throw you off track. A back-up plan might mean integrating alternative exercises, healthier lifestyle choices, or simply having the awareness to adapt the situation rather than quit.

Dreams. Even our passions—writing that novel, launching a new business, traveling the world—benefit from contingency plans. Delays and setbacks happen, but if you’ve thought ahead, the dream doesn’t have to end at the first obstacle in the road.

It’s important to recognize that back-up plans aren’t a sign of doubt or weakness. Rather, having the in place is proof of personal resilience. They say, I’m committed enough to this path that I’m preparing for what could go wrong. Just as Bill’s spare ladder gave Martin what he needed to finish his repair, a well-considered back-up gives us the confidence to climb higher, knowing a fall won’t crush our dreams.

The next week, Martin bought his own extension ladder. He stored the old one in the shed as a reminder of the lesson he nearly learned the hard way.

Even the best of plans carry some risk. Ground shifts. Storms roll in. Life doesn’t wait for us to be perfectly balanced. But when we put a back-up plan in place, we have more than just a second option—we’ve prepared ourselves to move forward and continue on our journey.

(c) Jill Reid

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