Shorten The Gap: Shortcuts to Success and Happiness by Mark Lack - HTML preview

Reduce Uncertainty

Let’s start off with a helpful little equation to remember from Jack Canfield. E+R=O. (Events + Response = Outcome) This equation applies to all your outcomes in life. Events take place, you respond to them, and you have an outcome — sometimes good, sometimes bad. A great way to reduce uncertainty is to know that you can always control the “R” and the “O” in the equation. We can’t always control the events that happen in our lives, but we can always control how we respond to the events, and that will result in our outcome. So you should always feel certain, that, no matter what happens in your life, you are always in control of your response to any event, and, therefore, you’re always in control of your outcomes in any situation. Knowing this and strengthening your ability to respond to events better will reduce the uncertainty in your life.

The best thing to do before making a decision is to think of all the possible outcomes from your decision. You should also think about what could happen if you don’t take action. Then choose which decision will have the best results. Which decision will result in the lowest potential for negative outcomes?

This task of weighing all possible outcomes is actually pretty difficult because you must not be biased in any way. If you’re a pessimist, you may be focusing only on negative outcomes and ignoring potentially good ones. If you’re an optimist, you may be ignoring possible negative outcomes. So be sure that you truly are considering all the outcomes — good and bad. That is when you will start finding the absolutely best decisions to make. Then, you can make your decision with confidence, choosing what you think is best.

Examples: Weigh all the potential outcomes for all these questions. I’ve supplied some of the key questions for you.

• Should I graduate college or not? If I don’t graduate college, it will most likely be harder to get a job. However, I could be in debt. If I do graduate college, getting a job should be easier. I’ll probably start off making more money. I could probably get a better-paying job with a degree, etc.
• Should I quit my current job and work toward what I would really love to do to generate income? If I quit, how long can I survive without generating any real income? How long will it take to start up my own company or get involved in a new job that I’d enjoy much more? Will the long-term benefits be worth it?
• Should I sign up for the gym and start living a healthier lifestyle or not? I’ll have to give up some of my free time and pay small membership fees, but I’ll be healthy, and look and feel better.
• Should I keep investing time and money into myself to grow each year or not?
• Should I spend more time with my family and loved ones or not?

Simply by asking yourself questions and then weighing all the potential outcomes, you’ll realize what the right decision is. The wrong decision is usually the easier one. In most cases, it’s easier to not do something and just sit on the couch. But when your dream life is worth fighting for, you’ll do whatever it takes.

Random Fact

Hummingbirds can weigh less than a penny.