How to make the best decision under uncertainty

We live in a complicated world where your decisions matter. Sometimes minor decisions end up having a disproportionate impact on your life.

?Her grade 6 results are poor

Take an example of a grade 6 child, who finds school boring and has "understanding" parents. Her grade 6 results are poor, and she can only be accepted by her nearest high school with a 30% matric pass rate.

?She is one of the lucky ones

She is one of the lucky ones in matric with a bachelor's pass with Cs and Ds. She cannot get the university degree she wants but ends up taking the available one, which she finds too difficult, fails, and drops out.

?She was only in grade 6 how could she know?

Terrible outcome from childish decision, you might say. She was only in grade 6 how could she know?

?Decisions matter, even if you don't know the consequences

That is the world we live in, complicated and often unfair. Decisions matter, even if you don't know the consequences. How can you improve your outcomes?

?I had nothing to spare

For instance, at 26 I was already married had two children and thoroughly disgruntled. Though I worked for a prestigious international company, I had nothing to spare after paying my basic living expenses.

?He exuded the aura of everything going well

One day a man phoned me for a meeting, after reading an article I published in a local newspaper. He was well dressed and drove the latest Porsche. He exuded the aura of everything going well.

?I needed to consult

It turned out that he wanted me to leave my frustrating job and start with him a recruitment company. If it weren't the weight of my responsibilities, I would have taken his offer on the spot. However, with wife and two children, it was a decision I needed to consult on.

?How could he want you to assume all the risk

Luckily, I had an uncle mentoring me at that time. When I spoke to him about it over the phone, he was livid. "How could he want you to assume all the risk? Did he offer you any money?"

?"No baba!" I said with a mix of sadness and relief.

?I have benefitted a lot from two mentors in my life

I have benefitted a lot from two mentors in my life. In my thirties, my new manager took over from where my uncle left. My new mentor gave me the right experiences which grew my confidence.

?Who would you want to meet, dead or alive?

It is with sadness that I drew a blank in July when reflecting on "Who would you want to meet, dead or alive?" It might be emblematic of growing older.

?You become assured of yourself

You become assured of yourself, which prevents you from finding a mentor. A mentor who will accelerate your progress and help you avoid making silly mistakes. You avoid fumbling in the dark and stand on the shoulders of a giant.

?Action

Do you currently have a coach or mentor? If not, what is stopping you?