1. Show up.
2. See what happens.
That’s Napoleon’s Batte Plan, as described by Aaron Sorkin in the eponymous Sports Night Episode (#22).
We tend to think that the best way forward is to be as specific, detailed, and forward thinking as we can–and it’s true that in many situations, that’s the ideal.
But there can be times, whether because of situations out of our control or any number of other reasons, our best hope is Napoleon’s Battle Plan.
Show up. See what happens.
React on your feet, be true to your moral and intellectual compass.
Prepare for the unknown when you can, and let that preparation guide you even when you can’t plan properly.