Oh, this is just TOO good not to post immediately. With all due respect and love to MWD, it appears that Confucius beat her to the punch be about 1300 years or so. Here's a quote I came across:

When it is obvious that the goals can't be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.

Couldn't have said it better meself.

M41 W42
M 12 T 15
S10, D9, twin Ds 3 1/2
BD 1/2/2013
Living as roommates
Working on D agreement w. mediator 5/13