Why Uncertainty Is A Waste Of Energy In Your Twenties
If you're brave, what you're meant to do will find you
Happy Friday and Valentine’s Day... They just lifted the bar curfew in Columbus so Valentines Day should be interesting this year.
I received a lot of responses to my questions last week, but still looking for more. Let’s try this prompt:
What one lesson stands out the most when you think about your twenties?
Feel free to send me an email, DM, whatever. I’ll answer and maybe write an article about it! Who knows, it might end up in Forbes or something.
Per usual, no pressure here. Please share my articles with your social media profiles or email the newsletter to someone you love.
Why Uncertainty Is A Waste Of Energy In Your Twenties
The defining decade: psychologist Meg Jays coined phrase for our twentysomething years — a decade of learning, responsibility, and growth. Build a foundation in your twenties and watch your dreams unfold in your thirties.
That might be true, but it feels gushy — so all I have to do is work hard, and poof! My dreams come true?
Uncertainty torments the inner compass of all twenty-year old’s. I know because I am one. How can we be certain we are doing the right things?
The right daily routines.
The right amount of work.
The right career.
We ask ourselves: will my actions ensure my future safety, prosperity, success? Or have I set a destructive path for myself headed towards my parent’s basement? or worse.
It’s a legitimate question, one that buzzes in my head like a refrigerator.
But I’ve learned to take solace in this thought and hope you do as well: There are no guarantees — not for anyone — but that shouldn’t stop you from trying.
Where Will You Be When The Wall Falls Down?
The Berlin Wall fell on the night of November 9th, 1989. Euphoria erupted in the streets; crowds stormed the wall with sledgehammers and drills; champagne flowed; and family members separated for decades were reunited. Angela Merkel, the future chancellor of Germany and an East Berliner, did not ascend the wall immediately. Instead, she marched to a bar with a friend for a beer — as was tradition after work on Thursdays.
Imagine you traveled back in time to that East Berlin bar and asked Angela her plan— her plan to become one of the world's most powerful politicians.
You would probably receive an odd stare.
You see, Angela Merkel circa 1989, was a scientist. She spent her twenties earning a doctorate in physics and worked for an East German scientific institute throughout the ’80s. Inspired by reunified Germany and democracy, Merkel saw the fall of the wall as a once in a lifetime opportunity and joined the CDU (Christian Democratic Union).
She found her new thing.
After decades of toxic charismatic leaders, it turns out a scientist was exactly what Europe needed. Merkel was calm, dispassionate, and analytical. In the male-dominated arena of international relations, she never lost a sense of herself and remained even-tempered while the world surged with Donald Trumps and Vladimir Putins.
There’s a famous story about a meeting between Putin and Merkel. In 2007, the two world leaders met in Sochi to discuss an energy deal between Russia and the European Union. During a tense moment, Putin “accidentally” let loose one of his guard dogs — a large black Labrador — knowing well that Merkel has had a fear of dogs since childhood.
Putin meant to intimidate her, but Merkel remained calm, almost ignorant to the fact anything was going on at all! The plan backfired, and Putin looked like a fool on the world stage.
Does anyone else other than a scientist who grew up in communist East Germany have the same response?
Hard to say, but I doubt it.
We Are All Prisoners of Time, Opportunity, And A Little Bit Of Luck
I’ve found that, if you’re brave, what you’re meant to do will find you. If you work hard, eat enough shit (try things to see what you like), and have fun, you will find your “thing.”
After that, work to be better tomorrow than you were today. Everything else is out of your control.
You’re a prisoner to time, opportunity, and a dash of luck.
Some might say that’s oversimplified, but why? We like to think we are masters of our fate, that we know what we are doing, that nobody makes decisions for me… but me. Yet, we fail to act again and again because we are haunted by the past or anxious about an uncertain future.
If you’re not trying to be better each day, then what’s the alternative? C’mon.
Leadership Does Not Happen In A Vacuum
History tells countless tales of great people who started off as one thing until time, opportunity, and luck entered their reality.
Ulysses S. Grant sold leather on the side of the road in Galena, Ohio before becoming Commander of Union Army and President of the United States.
Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner worked at a grocery store before signing with the St. Louis Rams where he won a Super Bowl.
Angela Merkel and the names listed above teach us that leadership does not occur in a vacuum. We build ourselves as best we can in preparation for a moment, a call to action.
You receive a promotion.
A job opens up.
You are called to lead a new project.
An outbreak of war.
A wall falls down.
Will you seize that moment or let uncertainty cloud your judgment?
Let This Final Thought Define Your Twenties
I should note that your call to action might not be obvious at first or even a positive experience. It could be argued that most are not.
Winston Churchill was elected Prime Minister out of desperation: Fascism engulfed Europe, and Great Britain was next. Barack Obama was elected President during the worst financial disaster since 1929. Angela Merkel joined politics as an East German only after the collapse of her country.
Life isn’t fair.
“The Defining Decade.” That’s about right. Work to be a better person tomorrow than you were today — let that define your twenties, and you will conquer whatever life throws your way.
The fear of uncertainty is irrelevant.