{"id":1270,"date":"2019-09-22T07:18:46","date_gmt":"2019-09-22T11:18:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=1270"},"modified":"2022-03-08T09:37:57","modified_gmt":"2022-03-08T13:37:57","slug":"48-laws-of-power-law-29-plan-all-the-way-to-the-end","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/48-laws-of-power-law-29-plan-all-the-way-to-the-end\/","title":{"rendered":"Law 29: Plan All the Way to the End (48 Laws of Power)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Overview of Law #29: <\/strong>Plan All the Way to the End<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Make detailed plans with a clear ending. Think far ahead, take into account all possible developments, plan all the way to the end, and don\u2019t be swayed by wishful thinking. Then pursue your plans and don\u2019t be tempted from your path<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Principles<\/strong> of Law 29<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most people believe that they\u2019re thinking of the future and planning ahead. Instead, they\u2019re actually practicing wishful thinking of what they want the future to be, rather than a future based on reality. 
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However, unhappy endings occur more often than happy ones. For example, when the Athenians attacked Sicily, they weren\u2019t thinking about what could go wrong \u2014 they were focused on riches and glory. But the war was disastrous and led to the fall of their great civilization. The Sicilians fought harder on their home turf, multiple enemies banded together against them, and wars broke out on several fronts.
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According to Law 29 of the 48 Laws of Power<\/a>, vague plans will lead to trouble, so plan all the way to the end<\/strong>. Think about possible unintended consequences<\/a>, for instance, whether you\u2019ll create new enemies, or whether a circling vulture will swoop in and take the spoils. Anticipate any circumstances that will tempt you to improvise, or to continue beyond your goal, and be ready to reject them. Going beyond your planned ending typically generates a reaction that may well end in your defeat. 
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Most people focus on smaller immediate dangers and miss seeing the larger dangers that will come later \u2014 take the long view with an eye to future pitfalls, remembering that power comes as much from what you don\u2019t do (mistakes you avoid) as from what you do.<\/strong>
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The ending is all-important. It determines who gets the prize. This is why you should plan all the way to the end. Make it absolutely clear and firm, and always keep it in mind, refusing temptations and distractions.
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Putting Law 29 to Work<\/strong>
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Here’s an example of how to apply Law 29 of the 48 Laws of Power: In the mid-1800s Prussian leader Otto von Bismarck<\/a> had a goal of creating a united Germany ruled by Prussia. With this ending always in mind, he planned specific steps for getting there and wasn\u2019t sidetracked by temptations to grab more territory or glory.
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His steps were:<\/p>\n\n\n\n