Uncertainty – ElPropósito4 min de lectura

The basic particle of every objective

Every objective rests on action. However it is framed and however clear we are about it from the start, there is a gap between the idea of an objective and the moment we set it in motion. The big changes we experience in life, or see in others, share one common denominator: how quickly the first steps were taken. Those steps are often clouded by fear of the unknown, because every decision carries a dose of uncertainty and a measure of certainty, which our knowledge and skills can sometimes strengthen. I like to think there is a third component too, faith. On top of that, in the end we are always the ones who make the decision, so there is always something in our hands we can do to take that first big step. The beautiful thing about starting is the feedback loop we begin to receive as we take steps. Life itself gave us the tools to keep giving ourselves feedback on our decisions. The big question is how to think clearly and objectively about the feedback we give ourselves.

I love the idea that the atom of an objective, its smallest part, is the decision. Just as an atom can be split into smaller particles, here, before action, come willpower, discipline and courage, and the field where the game is played is our purpose. That is the system every objective we set or pursue rests on. Without purpose there is no field. Without willpower there is no action, and without discipline there is no action either, so the action simply never happens. Let’s think more optimistically and look at how much we can build with each of these elements. What can we build with discipline? With willpower? With purpose? With all of that in place, action will surely follow.

The uncertainty of a decision can sometimes be reduced with more data or more information, but we have to accept that it can never be eliminated completely. If we had a crystal ball, I probably would not be writing this post and you would not be reading these lines. (Not true, actually. I will keep writing as long as I am alive.) So we often have to decide in uncertain conditions, and in my case faith is what lets me stay at peace, knowing that whatever the outcome, something greater than me will move things either for or against me, and either way I can draw a lesson from it. Unfortunately, we hold back from deciding because of uncertainty, and that is where action stalls and we never enter the positive feedback loop I described earlier. We can have discipline and willpower, but if we never take the step out of uncertainty, we will never decide and never take the steps that bring us closer to our objectives.

Learning to take risks is a science and an art at once. On one hand we have developed many ways to calculate risk. On the other, we know that not every risk can be measured; some risk will always fall outside the analysis for one reason or another. And not every risk can be mitigated. That leaves us an uncertain margin we must learn to manage, cope with and live with, or we will never be ready to act. Remember that action is the atom of every objective. That leads me to a conclusion: framing an objective involves several earlier steps we should already have considered, a checklist we must make sure we have, including discipline, motivation and courage, among many others. To be willing to pay the price of reaching our objectives, we must be willing to act and be ready for it.

Warm regards and all the best,

Rodrigo Baccaro

P.S. I dedicate this post to my son Rodrigo on his ninth birthday. Thank you for teaching me every day to take risks with the hope and faith with which a child makes decisions. I love you, my beautiful boy, my prince.

Author: Rodrigo Baccaro

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