Worrying about ‘what is next’ is a fairly general and ongoing theme for many of the young people that I am meeting with. And it is these “what if’s” that can either become paralysing or very liberating. This depends on your perspective.
From the outset, I want to reassure all clients that even if we have set for ourselves a very definite and precise course of intent, nothing is for absolute certain. It can’t be. Life is life, and with that so many curve balls do come our way (wonderful ones and very challenging ones).
What I do know though is that in embracing the uncertainties, and embracing the idea that we can plan enough to have a direction but with the knowledge that there is no guarantee of the outcome, we are liberated to do the work, to invest ourselves into that work but also open to all sorts possibilities thereafter.
FORETHOUGHT is a key to establishing an intended course of action. It does not work to ‘not worry about whether you will pass the exams or get the work placement’ and then just chill about it. Dedicated effort into good preparation is an essential ingredient to opening up possibilities. However, ONCE the background work is done, the 1st option might not open up, but then there are other options that you are equipped to say yes to.
We ruminate too on the ‘what if this does not work out’, or ‘what if I fail’ – BUT, what about a more exciting question of ‘what if this works out fantastically well’, ‘or what if I ace this exam’, ‘what if I get that amazing job’.
You have today to do what you need to do.
Trust that you will figure it out once you are at the next stage.
You don’t know precisely what is around the corner, you cannot entirely predict. Have a plan in your mind but concentrate and invest in the the NOW. Start on what is the best plan at the moment, knowing that your plans might well develop into something that you had not anticipated initially.
“There is a difference between not knowing, and not knowing yet”.
Perhaps it is about not holding on too tight to how you think things should go, so that your approach to your ambitions remain supple. You set yourself up for dealing with the twists and turns of life with gracious grit.
Do the work, have faith in the outcome and faith that you will manage what ever the outcome is. Above all, be open to the possibility that unexpected really good things will come along. Not knowing does not mean that you can just sit back and trust that things will take care of themselves – NO. What it does mean is that you just take the steps, put in the work and time and effort TODAY, trusting that the door to the next step WILL open up.