Idea Ripper // ArchiveCards: 1555 [Live] | Updated: 2026-10-14
Card #c1252IR // #c1252Synthesis

"Take a step back. Look at the data. Listen to everyone. Use your common sense. Decide to win. Get better at it."

— In our words · Source: This Is the Plan (Ben Wikler)

[Use when]

You've just lost a big contest and people are calling for a complete reinvention.

[Why it matters]

Wikler warns against reading one loss as a permanent realignment. 2024 was a bad year for incumbent parties worldwide. His advice is to question tactics, message and spending hard while keeping the fundamental commitments.

Filed under situations:When you must decide and the facts aren’t inWhen you’re stuck and running on empty

More from This Is the Plan

#c1233"Here’s the operating principle: All other things being equal, you’ll be most persuasive to the people with whom you have the closest…You want to change minds and are about to start with the widest, least personal channel available. #c1234"Keep a CONSTANT WATCH on the DOUBTFUL VOTERS, and from time to time have them TALKED TO by those IN WHOM THEY HAVE THE MOST CONFIDENCE."You need to win over a wavering group and are deciding who should deliver the message. #c1235"Whenever a new way to reach someone unsolicitedly and cheaply pops into existence—mail, texts, Facebook messages—it has a brief twinkling…Your team is excited about a new cheap outreach channel because early numbers look great.

Same situation, different book

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