The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.

When we embark on a new mission, we make plans that account for a variety of contingencies, alternative scenarios, competing interests and more. We anticipate as much as possible, we pre-determine strategies for response, and we make decisions up-front so as to ensure a positive outcome. We try to stack the odds in our favor as much as possible.

But things change. The unexpected happens. Variables change in a different way than we expected. New variables emerge.

The more things change, the more success depends on our ability to learn and adapt. Insight and resourcefulness overcome big and small challenges. And sometimes guts and determination beat out carefully considered strategies to get us to the finish line. The ability to adapt to changing circumstances, to see old things anew, and to consider and execute novel approaches marks the difference between success and failure.

Photo credit: libraryman