Predicting the Future

There is a new way of thinking that I’ve experienced lately. It seems to me that many people think that there are people that can predict their own futures and are therefore able to make better decisions because of these predictions. They seem to believe that choices are made because of sure outcomes rather than people who take chances. Perhaps the subscription of this belief goes as far as to theorize that you cannot make a decision if there is an unpredictable outcome.

Take for example people considering relocating for a job. They want to go and they know it could be a great opportunity, but instead they stay because what if they don’t like the job when they get there. The same thing happens many times with finances. A person would like to have a goal to pay off all of the debt they have but believes it will never happen so they keep making the minimum payment. Then there is my most recent favorite of someone deciding not to enter in a relationship because he/she does not know what is going to happen in the next year.

Wake up people! None of us know what is going to happen in the next six months to two years. Heck, we don’t even know what might happen in the next minute. Decisions are made based off of a calculation of what you know could potentially happen and what you hope will happen. No one can say absolutely for sure that they will have the same friends, living situation, job, location, or relationships in the next year. All of those things can change very quickly leaving us with another unpredictable future.

What should be done then? Take some chances. Make a decision that has some longevity or put things in order for just in cases. Ever heard of if Plan A doesn’t work then try Plan B, or C or D or Z? Try planning for once just to see what options you have out there. Step outside of your box a little and try some new things. You never know, you might actually like something that seems a little scary at first.

Life is about taking risks and chances. Why? Because life itself is a risk and chance. You can never succeed if you never try. So stop sitting on your hands because you are unsure of what is to come. Take an opportunity to step out of your normal routine and see what is possible out there because there is no such thing as predicting the future.