In life, things often don’t go according to plan. Even when we get what we thought we wanted, it may not turn out to be what we truly desired. Instead, we should appreciate any small moments of happiness and peace that we experience. Author Blake Crouch reminds us that a sliver of contentment is more than most people ever find.
To make the most of life’s unpredictability, planning is essential. However, we must shift our perspective from a “certainty mindset” to a “maybe perspective.” Rather than assuming that if we do X, then Y will always follow, we must accept that there is no guaranteed outcome.
Let’s double-click on this idea of “if this, then maybe.
To increase our chances of success, we must ask better questions and rigorously test our assumptions. By continually assessing whether the list of things that need to be true to achieve our goals remains valid, we can align our strategies and tactics. This is the key to achieving our desired outcomes.
Ultimately, the only way to learn is to test our assumptions. By doing so, we can become more confident in our ability to navigate life’s uncertainties. If we live in a world of assumed certainty, we risk being disrupted and missing out on our goals. Therefore, we must embrace the “maybe perspective” and continually test our assumptions to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Before you go, I want to thank all the people who have been reading an early draft of my book. I especially want to thank the reader who sent me the quote below that inspired this newsletter. I look forward to being on this journey with you.
“Life never really goes the way you want or expect. Usually, even getting exactly what you want turns out not to have been what you really wanted. So, my son, if you ever find a sliver of happiness and peace, just be thankful and live. Don’t reach for more, because a sliver is more than most people ever find.” – Blake Crouch.