It's interesting to ponder the dichotomy between the "right way" to do things and the way I tend to approach them. I often find myself in situations where what I attempt just doesn't seem to work out as planned. It's like the best laid plans always seem to go awry, doesn't it? I've encountered individuals who, regardless of their results, seem to exude confidence as if everything went exactly as they intended. It makes me wonder, is ignorance truly bliss?
Could it be that ignorance is indeed bliss, but only within a narrow context? It seems that in certain situations, ignorance may provide temporary comfort. However, to maintain that bliss, one must remain oblivious to new information that might disrupt it. It's almost like intentionally becoming less knowledgeable to preserve a sense of bliss.
Some people claim to make the most out of every situation, irrespective of the circumstances. But is that truly feasible under any conditions, or are there limitations? Are there situations where even the staunchest advocates of making the most out of things would simply say, "Nope, this sucks"? It's worth considering how many individuals who start off with a positive outlook on life eventually become disillusioned when their experiences consistently fail to align with their worldview.
Recently, I discussed with my pseudo-coach at work the importance of building a reference group, comprised of individuals with not only work experience but also life experience. Those who have "lived a little" tend to possess a broader understanding of the world beyond their narrow skill set, thereby adding more value to any guidance they provide.
I mentioned to my coach, who is highly technically proficient, that people with limited experience often believe that every problem has a solution. However, those with more experience understand that complexities can sometimes dictate that the best solution today may not be the best tomorrow, given how rapidly circumstances can change.
Experience comes in various forms, yet it seems that many in the younger generation today limit theirs to superficial pursuits, focusing more on consumption rather than genuine learning. This narrow approach may hinder their ability to comprehend the complexities of the world, as much of what they consume is engineered and designed to obfuscate.
Take, for example, the sight of parents giving screens to their children at breakfast in the hotel. While it may keep the kids quiet in the short term, it's essentially a technological solution to the complex issue of children's natural curiosity. By conditioning their children to be passive consumers of content, these parents are inadvertently shaping their behavior in ways that may not align with the complexities they'll face in the future.
Parenting, as it turns out, is not just complicated—it's complex. The challenge lies in the fact that without a glimpse into the future, many individuals may believe they're doing the right thing in the present. However, when that future arrives and their actions prove to be misguided, it's often too late to course correct.
Perhaps this is why I'm keen on assembling a reference group with diverse experiences—a sort of decentralization of intelligence, if you will. By gathering individuals with diverse specialties yet a shared understanding of life's intricacies, I hope to foster a more holistic approach to problem-solving.
After all, just because someone excels in one area doesn't necessarily mean they possess expertise in all domains. It's a common misconception—one that we're often guilty of applying to ourselves as well. We tend to overestimate our own abilities, much like the majority of people who believe they're above-average drivers.
So yes, there's the "right way" to do something, and then there's my way. While I may not always get it completely wrong, I'm often far from right. And while I haven't yet made a catastrophic mistake, I often wonder if that's because of my accumulated experience or simply because I haven't taken big enough risks.
Perhaps it's a bit of both, with my ignorance occasionally shining through...