Chapter 285
When Plans Fall Apart
Next day the troops assembled in their appointed places in the evening and advanced during the night. It was an autumn night with dark purple clouds, but no rain. The ground was damp but not muddy, and the troops advanced noiselessly, only occasionally a jingling of the artillery could be faintly heard. The men were forbidden to talk out loud, to smoke their pipes, or to strike a light, and they tried to prevent their horses neighing. The secrecy of the undertaking heightened its charm and they marched gaily. Some columns, supposing they had reached their destination, halted, piled arms,…
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Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Doubt Triggers
Think of a recent situation where you had a good plan or instinct but talked yourself out of it. Write down what specific thoughts or fears made you hesitate. Then trace what actually happened versus what you feared would happen. Finally, identify the exact moment when productive caution turned into paralyzing doubt.
Consider:
- •Notice if your doubts focused on worst-case scenarios rather than likely outcomes
- •Consider whether you had enough information to act or were seeking impossible certainty
- •Pay attention to whether the stakes were actually as high as they felt in the moment
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you pushed through doubt and acted anyway. What did you learn about your own judgment? How can you recognize the difference between wise caution and self-sabotaging fear?
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