WHAT GAME ARE WE PLAYING?
Consistency and certainty are conditions we all love. Even those of us who identify as highly spontaneous need some level of stability in life. Certainty is a core human need. One could say uncertainty shakes us to our core, because it does. We invest a great deal of time and energy trying to plan for the future because we want to know what is further down the road. We want to control at least some of what happens to us. But, is certainty an illusion and are we all trying to play a game with the universe where we win most of the time?
Okay, so if this is a game, how do we play on the field without being constantly tackled to the ground? One way is to learn to keep playing despite setbacks. That’s the thing about uncertainty; we will occasionally have setbacks, sometimes big ones. That doesn’t mean we stop. But, we also need to be smart about it. We can’t keep hitting the ground and doing nothing to change that. Instead of becoming unraveled when setbacks happen or trying to constantly prevent them, we can play the game differently.
A relevant and timely example might help.
Just over five months ago, we were in Game One. We were living our lives in what we have deemed the “normal” state. Then the pandemic happened and we all freaked out. The game changed. Game Two became an unstable environment with panicked players, coaches, and fans running around in different directions not knowing which way to go. Then lockdown happened. The game stopped. Or did it? Maybe there was just another game, then another, then another. Isn’t that how the last five months have felt? All of these jolting events started happening and we lost track of our direction. We realized we don’t know what game we are in, much less how to play it. All we know is no one seems to be winning. We entered the state of “ultimate uncertainty”.
Well, there is bad news and good news.
The bad news is we don’t know when the pandemic will end or what will happen after that. More uncertainty. We also have to deal with the unfortunate effects of what has happened in our world, including some very sad consequences. The good news is that we can do something now that will help us to feel more empowered in our circumstances and perhaps redirect the trajectory our world is currently on (and get more wins).
What can we do? We can start to reinvest our time and energy, not just on planning for the future, but on thriving in the present. What does thriving mean? It means a willingness to use our creative passions and strengths towards something good instead of dwelling about or constantly fighting against what we oppose.
HOW DO WE THRIVE IN UNCERTAINTY (or play smart)?
1. Look at what you are investing in? Where is your time and energy going? If you are drained by what you are investing in, invest elsewhere. Stop tackling yourself to the ground.
2. What are you good at? We are all competent in something. Where can you be effective right now? Don’t try to play all positions in the game.
3. Start creating positive experiences that serve others and yourself. If you feel good, you are more likely to thrive and vice versa. Remember, the word “game” typically correlates with enjoyment.
4. What are your priorities and values? Is what you are doing aligned with them? The more aligned we are, the more likely we are to thrive in life. Now you know what game you are in and how to play it.
Uncertainty in itself is not negative. Believing we can’t thrive in it is.
Go get some wins!
Thelma Franco