--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Plans have a way of coming apart when you…" description: "\"“Plans have a way of coming apart when you lean om 'em”\" — Joe Abercrombie" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b64/joe-abercrombie-791_lean_plans-have-a-way-of-coming-apart-when-yo_201962.png" --- # Plans have a way of coming apart when you lean om 'em ![“Plans have a way of coming apart when you lean om 'em” quote by Joe Abercrombie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b64/joe-abercrombie-791_lean_plans-have-a-way-of-coming-apart-when-yo_201962.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b64/joe-abercrombie-791_lean_plans-have-a-way-of-coming-apart-when-yo_201962.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b64/joe-abercrombie-791_lean_plans-have-a-way-of-coming-apart-when-yo_201962.png) > ““Plans have a way of coming apart when you lean om 'em”” [Joe Abercrombie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-abercrombie/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Plans often collapse when we rely on them too heavily without flexibility. **In simple terms:** Plans can break if you’re too rigid. Key Takeaway Stay adaptable, revise plans often. Themes planning flexibility risk Mood cautious realistic Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - project management - personal goals - team coordination Key Concepts contingency overconfidence Questions to Reflect On - What backup plans do you have? - How can you build flexibility into your strategy? A Different Perspective Rigidity can lead to failure despite best intentions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Strategy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strategy/) ## Related quotes > [“Plan B” is nonsense. Successful people come up with plans A, B, C, D . . . all the way to Z. 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I'm messed up in Mexico, living on refried dreams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-mcgraw/down-to-my-last-dime-and-coming-apart-at-the-seams-i-m-messed-up-in/) [Tim McGraw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-mcgraw/) > [“Our students didn’t used to come from such damaged families,” Louis mused. “It’s true what they say. This country really is coming apart at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-russell/our-students-didn-t-used-to-come-from-such-damaged-families-louis/) [Paul Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-russell/) > [“PLEASE BELIEVE that I am falling apart. I am not speaking metaphorically; nor is this the opening gambit of some melodramatic, riddling, grubby appeal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/please-believe-that-i-am-falling-apart-i-am-not-speaking/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [We live in constant danger of coming apart. The mystery of why we do not always come apart is the animating tension of all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-woolf/we-live-in-constant-danger-of-coming-apart-the-mystery-of-why-we-do/) [Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-woolf/) ## More by Joe Abercrombie > [“She shrugged. “I fell. I’m a clumsy fool.” “I know how you feel. I’m such a fool I knocked half my teeth out and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-abercrombie/she-shrugged-i-fell-i-m-a-clumsy-fool-i-know-how-you-feel-i-m-such-a/) [Joe Abercrombie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-abercrombie/) > [Things aren't what they used to be' is the rallying cry of small minds. When men say things used to be better, they invariably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-abercrombie/things-aren-t-what-they-used-to-be-is-the-rallying-cry-of-small-minds/) [Joe Abercrombie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-abercrombie/) > [“Mercy and weakness are the same thing in war, and there's no prize for nice behavior.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-abercrombie/mercy-and-weakness-are-the-same-thing-in-war-and-there-s-no-prize-for/) [Joe Abercrombie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-abercrombie/) > [“The lowly have small ambitions, and are satisfied with small indulgences. They need not get fair treatment. They need only think that they do... ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-abercrombie/the-lowly-have-small-ambitions-and-are-satisfied-with-small/) [Joe Abercrombie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-abercrombie/) > [“What do the dice say?" Dice say nothing. They are dice." Why roll'em, then?" They are dice. What else would I do with them?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-abercrombie/what-do-the-dice-say-dice-say-nothing-they-are-dice-why-roll-em-then/) [Joe Abercrombie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-abercrombie/) > [“You have to realistic about these things.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-abercrombie/you-have-to-realistic-about-these-things/) [Joe Abercrombie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-abercrombie/) > [“That was the difference between a hero and a villain, a soldier and a murderer, a victory and a crime. Which side of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-abercrombie/that-was-the-difference-between-a-hero-and-a-villain-a-soldier-and-a/) [Joe Abercrombie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-abercrombie/) > [“Nostalgia was becoming a favoured hobby of his. Strange, how the best moments of our lives we scarcely notice except in looking back.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-abercrombie/nostalgia-was-becoming-a-favoured-hobby-of-his-strange-how-the-best/) [Joe Abercrombie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-abercrombie/) > [“The only difference between war and murder is the number of dead.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-abercrombie/the-only-difference-between-war-and-murder-is-the-number-of-dead/) [Joe Abercrombie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-abercrombie/) > [Names turned over by time, like the plough turning the soil. Bringing up the new while the old were buried in the mud.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-abercrombie/names-turned-over-by-time-like-the-plough-turning-the-soil-bringing/) [Joe Abercrombie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-abercrombie/) > [“Knives,’ muttered Calder, ‘and threats, and bribes, and war?’ Bayaz’ eyes shone with the lamplight. ‘Yes?’ ‘What kind of a fucking wizard are you?’…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-abercrombie/knives-muttered-calder-and-threats-and-bribes-and-war-bayaz-eyes/) [Joe Abercrombie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-abercrombie/) > [“Straining and straining, getting nowhere, but unable to stop pushing in case the rock should fall and crush him. Meanwhile, arrogant bastards who were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-abercrombie/straining-and-straining-getting-nowhere-but-unable-to-stop-pushing-in/) [Joe Abercrombie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-abercrombie/) > [“Yarvi: 'If we had known the hardship of it, we might have chosen another.' Shidwala: 'So it is with many choices.' Yarvi: 'All we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-abercrombie/yarvi-if-we-had-known-the-hardship-of-it-we-might-have-chosen-another/) [Joe Abercrombie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-abercrombie/) > [Sometimes men change for the better. Sometimes men change for the worse. And often, very often, given time and opportunity . . .’ He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-abercrombie/sometimes-men-change-for-the-better-sometimes-men-change-for-the/) [Joe Abercrombie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-abercrombie/) > [“A bitter ending' said Yarvi. 'Many sweet stories have them', said Jaud.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-abercrombie/a-bitter-ending-said-yarvi-many-sweet-stories-have-them-said-jaud/) [Joe Abercrombie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-abercrombie/) [Explore all 364 Joe Abercrombie quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-abercrombie/) ## More Lean quotes > [“But he's got your way of making me lean into peace whenever I see red.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adele-griffin/but-he-s-got-your-way-of-making-me-lean-into-peace-whenever-i-see-red/) [Adele Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adele-griffin/) > [Lean too much on the approval of people, and it becomes a bed of thorns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tehyi-hsieh/lean-too-much-on-the-approval-of-people-and-it-becomes-a-bed-of-thorns/) [Tehyi Hsieh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tehyi-hsieh/) > [I want to make sure I have something I can lean on after football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrick-henry/i-want-to-make-sure-i-have-something-i-can-lean-on-after-football/) [Derrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-henry/) > [I look at a lot of shows. I look at a really broad spectrum; I look at everything from David Lean to Lina Wertmuller.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kari-skogland/i-look-at-a-lot-of-shows-i-look-at-a-really-broad-spectrum-i-look-at/) [Kari Skogland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kari-skogland/) > [The best we can do is lean towards the light.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/the-best-we-can-do-is-lean-towards-the-light/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [Building a cast is a card house. They lean on each other, provide for each other, and take from each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-renck/building-a-cast-is-a-card-house-they-lean-on-each-other-provide-for/) [Johan Renck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-renck/) > [HubSpot has used the lean startup method to build a spectacularly successful company. What I particularly love about HubSpot is that they are so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-ries/hubspot-has-used-the-lean-startup-method-to-build-a-spectacularly/) [Eric Ries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-ries/) > [Lean on principles, one day they'll end up giving way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/lean-on-principles-one-day-they-ll-end-up-giving-way/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Be passionate about something and lean to that strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/be-passionate-about-something-and-lean-to-that-strength/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [There's nothing wrong with raising venture capital. Many lean startups are ambitious and are able to deploy large amounts of capital. What differentiates them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-ries/there-s-nothing-wrong-with-raising-venture-capital-many-lean-startups/) [Eric Ries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-ries/) > [I stay away from big chunks of carbs and try to keep it lean, even when Im competing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-parkinson/i-stay-away-from-big-chunks-of-carbs-and-try-to-keep-it-lean-even/) [Joel Parkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-parkinson/) > [I like to be lean and flexible. I'm not interested in gaining size.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-stan/i-like-to-be-lean-and-flexible-i-m-not-interested-in-gaining-size/) [Sebastian Stan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-stan/) > [There were so many lean years. A lot of lean years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-heigl/there-were-so-many-lean-years-a-lot-of-lean-years/) [Katherine Heigl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-heigl/) > [Well, I always say the law was meant to be interpreted in a lenient manner. And that's what I try to do, is sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irving-ravetch/well-i-always-say-the-law-was-meant-to-be-interpreted-in-a-lenient/) Irving Ravetch > [If I were to write a sequel to 'Lean In' for men, I would call it 'Make Room.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nell-scovell/if-i-were-to-write-a-sequel-to-lean-in-for-men-i-would-call-it-make/) [Nell Scovell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nell-scovell/) Browse all 270 Lean quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Plans have a way of coming apart when you lean om 'em”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joe Abercrombie" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-abercrombie/plans-have-a-way-of-coming-apart-when-you-lean-om-em/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Lean" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-abercrombie/plans-have-a-way-of-coming-apart-when-you-lean-om-em/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b64/joe-abercrombie-791_lean_plans-have-a-way-of-coming-apart-when-yo_201962.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b64/joe-abercrombie-791_lean_plans-have-a-way-of-coming-apart-when-yo_201962.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b64/joe-abercrombie-791_lean_plans-have-a-way-of-coming-apart-when-yo_201962.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Plans have a way of coming apart when you lean om 'em” — Joe Abercrombie", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Joe Abercrombie", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-abercrombie/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Plans have a way of coming...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-abercrombie/plans-have-a-way-of-coming-apart-when-you-lean-om-em/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-abercrombie/plans-have-a-way-of-coming-apart-when-you-lean-om-em/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```