Avoiding certainty
Avoid certainty about what your future is going to be. I heard this thought here, and it made me think about how we are bound by the certainty we expect of our future. This can occur personally, professionally, or at an organizational level.
When we expect certainty, we have our eyes on the prize. This can also limit what we see. We focus on making it happen. This can also make us neglect other important things. We don't settle for anything less. We also don't tend to imagine what more would look like. It can be all or nothing. This can feel like a failure when our reality doesn't end up matching what we expect.
With certainty, there is only one way. One way to fix the problem. One way to be successful. One way to get what we want. One way to be influential. One way to make money. Certainty can even trick us into believing we are being productive and effective.
The reality is that we don't know for certain what is going to happen. Certainty is an illusion.
What happens when we avoid certainty?
When we avoid certainty, we can have our eyes on a flexible prize. It helps us remain open to possibilities instead of being stuck in tunnel vision. It helps us manage our goals and expectations accordingly. It helps us limit disappointments and maximize surprises that can happen along the way. Without certainty, we can take one step at a time and recognize the progress in each step. We don't have to wait to celebrate only when we've reached an arbitrary certainty. This all gives us more capacity and perspective to focus on multiple things that are important.
How do we avoid certainty?
Reframe goals and dreams. Consider the idea that goals and dreams are not meant to be achieved. They are meant to offer a direction for progress. It's a compass that helps us steer our efforts, not necessarily a destination to arrive at. We are also allowed to change our goals and dreams over time, and not fixating on a destination helps us shift course more easily when needed.
Change our response to problems. When we hit a bump in the road, instead of defaulting to worry or trying to get back to status quo as quickly as possible, we can ask ourselves: what if it all works out? What if this is pointing me toward a better way? What is this problem telling me? The answer may not be profound nor change our situation drastically, but it can help us see a fuller spectrum of possibilities.
Could avoiding certainty make us better leaders? It may be worth a try to go in that general direction. And let's consider: what if it all works out?
Curious? Sign up to receive an email with each new post!
Prefer to watch/listen instead?
Here's the blog in video format!
