Changing Horses

From apse

Problem The tides have changed. Forces beyond your control are under way, and things are different now.

Context Choose your own adventure novels!!!!!!!!!!!

Discussion In reference to politics, this pattern provides an excellent way of progressing the democratic process in the United States. This phrase was actually popularized by Abraham Lincoln when there was a movement to keep him in office for a second term. In a more modern reference to politics, changing horses midstream is part of the ideals this country was founded on. Democracy plays a huge part in changing focus. If a project is going to be presented more as public, than personal, you need to have to be able to be open minded and willing to change focus in the middle of the project. Even if in the end the change in focus is not best for the project, you then have gained knowledge in a particular area of your project that you may have never further explored.

This pattern addresses the whys and wherefores of "changing horses" — sometimes it is desirable to "change horses in the middle of the stream."

Solution Sometimes it's necessary to make the judgement call before it's too late. Recognizing when the scenario has changed enough to mandate revision of the plan is a valuable skill.