Every major newspaper, magazine and TV show has them: a What to Expect in 2012 article. I read this one this morning from Reuters. It seems that financial gurus are having a tough time forecasting anything these days. For some reason, I read, watched and observed these ‘experts’ and yes – I am stressed out and feeling a tiny bit anxious. The word, “paranormal” was used by one finance guru to describe what he thought was going to happen in the markets. And what’s all the hoopla about this Mayan 2012 prophecy?
Seriously? Someone can predict the future? Really? Whether you believe it or not, it makes you a bit uneasy.
So, I thought if they can come up with some “2012 Forecasts” for the world then why can’t I come up with a forecast for my own life? OK. I’ve consulted my crystal ball and here is my official (ok…not really but it looks serious right?) 2012 Embrace the Chaos Top 10 Things to Expect in 2012 forecast:
Drum roll……
#10: Life will be more complicated
#9: I will be shocked by the changes at work
#8: My kids will surprise me, delight me and exhaust me
#7: My wife’s business will face obstacles, hurdles and we will question if it is really worth the hassle
#6: There may or may not be a health issue with someone I know
#5: My relationship will be up then it will be down but then it may just go up
#4: I will be pleasantly surprised by an opportunity that came from someone I happened to meet a while ago
#3: I may have a major career shift that will not be the one I anticipated
#2: Everything I SAY, THINK and DO will always remain my Choice
#1: All will end just fine
We’ve all seen this movie before. While we may be good at predicting which celebrity couple will get divorced, we’re not very accurate at predicting what will happen in our own lives. That’s because the truth is that NO ONE CAN REALLY PREDICT THE FUTURE. So what I think happens is that we don’t even think about these things and then life does what it is supposed to do – surprise you. And what do we do? We get shocked and disappointed. We get stressed because things didn’t turn out perfectly as we expected it would.
As I try to figure out how to be less anxious and stressed about an uncertain future, I have realized that I need to EXPECT chaos that may come at me this year. Roads are always bumpy somewhere along the journey. That’s just a fact of life. And by expecting chaos to happen can help prepare me for it.
I have to also ADJUST MY EXPECTATIONS – not be a sour puss and be pessimistic about the future – just realistic. As they say, “Plan for the worst, hope for the best” and realize that no matter which curve ball life is going to throw in these uncertain, complex and unpredictable times – it is still my choice how I respond to that curve ball. It is up to me to choose to accept chaos and expect chaos. It is my choice not to have such huge expectations. It remains my choice not to ask the universe to give me something that is unrealistic in a chaotic and complex world.
Life is tough, full of obstacles but also great opportunities. By shifting my expectations and expecting disorder and uncertainty, I believe I can be better prepared to handle the chaos that may come my way. I believe that as I learn to embrace the chaos of my life today at work, at home and in this uncertain and global world, I need to Expect the Chaos and Adjust My Expectations so that I no longer feel that a smooth ride this year is owed me – because it is owed to no one.
I believe that the greatest stress buster and shield for anxiety in my world today is ME – the choice I make to embrace the chaos. I cannot control the what happens next but can only control myself. And that a bumpy ride may also be fun, full of luck and could offer unique chances that may never have been possible on a quiet and smooth road. And after all, as the crystal ball says, “All will end just fine.”
Rule #1 Expect and Accept Chaos, Rule #4: Adjust My Expectations | Embrace the Chaos! | Bob Miglani
