No Offense... But That Plan Might Need to Die

What “The Pony Remark” teaches us about ditching bad ideas, skipping guilt trips, and investing where it counts

Author

R.J. A.
March 27, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes

“I had a pony. My sister had a pony. My cousin had a pony. You people with no pony - you don’t know what it’s like.” - Manya

Previously on Seinfeld

In The Pony Remark (Episode 7), Jerry makes a dinner party faux pas, offending an older guest with a comment about kids who had ponies growing up. When she unexpectedly dies days later, he spirals… was it the remark? Meanwhile, Kramer bets he’ll redesign his apartment with “levels,” and Elaine’s interest is piqued by the idea that an apartment might soon be opening up.

It’s an episode about plans, pivots, and moving on:

  • Jerry obsesses over his softball game vs. a funeral

  • Kramer dreams big but takes zero action

  • Elaine is already planning for the future

Yada Yada Insight

Jerry’s stuck questioning a comment he can’t take back. Kramer’s chasing an over-ambitious renovation with no plan to get it done.

Sound familiar?

In business, this happens all the time: we dwell on sunk costs, cling to old decisions, or spread ourselves too thin chasing new ideas that aren’t grounded in reality.

(We dug into this “too many ideas, too little structure” issue in The Robbery, where scarcity bias and impulsive decisions cloud judgment.)

Instead of reacting emotionally or doubling down on outdated plans, the smartest move is to step back and assess what’s actually moving the needle. That means looking at your numbers, understanding where your cash is going, and being honest about which projects (or people) are dragging you down.

If you want sustainable business growth, you need clarity, not guilt. Clear priorities, smart planning, and realistic expectations are what actually drive progress.

(The Stakeout explored this too—how identifying the right moment to act can sharpen your strategy.)

Unlocking the Vault

Before you keep feeding a dead strategy or dive into your next “big idea,” here’s your quick gut check:

  1. Does This Still Make Sense?

Just because it was a good idea once doesn’t mean it still is. Look at the time, money, and energy it’s costing you —> and what you’re actually getting back.

(In The Ex-Girlfriend, we talked about how hard it can be to walk away from something that no longer serves you, even when you know you should.)

  1. If We Started Fresh Today, Would We Still Choose This?

Elaine saw the future in that empty apartment. You should too. Don’t let yesterday’s plan dictate today’s direction. Revisit your goals through the lens of your current financial health and market conditions.

  1. Is the Excitement Outweighing the Evidence?

Kramer was all-in on “levels” but never measured the payoff. Make sure you’re evaluating ideas with real data, not just gut instinct.

(We explored this tension between intuition and evidence in The Stock Tip.)

  1. Are We Strengthening What’s Already Working?

Growth doesn’t always mean launching something new. Sometimes it’s about fine-tuning the systems, workflows, or revenue streams you already have in place.

Letting go doesn’t mean failure - it means freeing yourself to focus on what actually works. Your energy is a resource. Spend it wisely.

Meme of the Week

All I said was - if your business still runs like a 1940s pony ride, maybe it’s time for a refresh!

What’s the Deal?

The Pony Remark shows us what happens when we cling to things out of guilt, nostalgia, or fear of change: whether it’s a softball game, a business strategy, or a dream of “levels.” Letting go doesn’t mean giving up. It means making room for what comes next.

If you’re ready to ditch inefficiency, rethink your plan, or pursue sustainable growth with clear eyes - Yada Yada Advisory is here to help.

Let’s Catchup at Monk’s

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👀 Didn’t read last week’s newsletter on The Ex-Girlfriend? Read it here and learn how clinging to outdated ideas (or people) can stall progress.

📌 Want to see where doubt and overconfidence collide? Check out The Stock Tip, where we unpack business blind spots and strategic risk.

💬 Got a question, a fresh take, or an anecdote? Just hit "reply” - we read every message (unlike Jerry, who just wanted to play softball).

📈 Check out Yada Yada Advisory for fractional CFO services, cash flow management, and business growth solutions – we’ll help you pivot when needed, no funeral guilt trips required.