Lesson 164: Dealing with Uncertainty

Answer: A. Move through it quickly.

If we stand still in some areas, we will get bogged down and start sinking. In these marshes, the secret is getting through them. There are many "marshes" in life, where the ground is uncertain and progress is difficult. In water areas, change is a dominant force. In marshy areas, the pressure of change is less of an issue than the instability of the ground. We know we are in a marsh because our progress bogs down in it. For example, if we ever find ourselves having to deal with the government, we will discover what it is like trying to make progress in marshes.

The main point about marshes is that we must get through them. We can use marshes as stepping-stones to other areas, but we don’t take a permanent position in them. Often we find ourselves in a bog without realizing what we are getting into. Legal procedures almost always turn into marshes. When we are trying to make progress, we should stay out of these areas, and, if we find ourselves in marshes accidentally, we should get out of them as soon as possible. Marshes may look like competitive openings because they are empty, but this is because those who go into them sink out of sight.

If we are challenged when we are bogged down, we can defend ourselves only if we stick to our most solid ground—the best and most established positions in the area. These positions are not strong long-term positions, but we can defend them if we are careful.

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Copyright 2005-2008 Science of Strategy Institute, Clearbridge Publishing, and Gary Gagliardi
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