The only thing predictable about life is its unpredictability. – Remy, Ratatouille
While growth is a positive sign that your business is flourishing, it can be frustrating if you cannot endure the pain that comes along with it. Every positive usually has a negative. Why? Everything in the world has an equal, but opposite reaction. One would not exist without the other.
In that sense, is unpredictability considered the positive or negative? How is it possible to create predictability from unpredictability? If change is the only constant in time, then why not follow it and be unpredictable? Go with the flow and do something different. By doing various activities, you might discover something new.
Many ideas for the well renowned inventions came when the inventor least expect it. In business, following the trends might seem like the obvious choice. However, if you look at it from another perspective, instead of following the trends, would it not be simpler to start a new trend and have others follow? Why? The best way to predict the future is to create it.
How is it possible to conceive something new if all you do is follow what has already been done? Logically, that doesn’t make any sense. Instead of waiting for others to set the trends, why not lead yourself and plan a new course to create a new direction? Is it not easier to control yourself first and figure out what makes you unique? What can you offer that does not yet exist in this world?
Unpredictability is useful because people want something new to talk about. We are social creatures and communication is a way for us to form bonds and relationships. Similar to bonds that happen in chemistry, new elements are formed when combining different elements together.
Some combinations create water and oxygen necessary for living things to stay alive. There are also elements that should not be combined with each other because it might cause an explosion. And there are rare elements that are not fully understood because of its rarity. Unpredictability and rarity go hand in hand.
Common elements like hydrogen and oxygen, while necessary for living, are taken for granted because of its predictability. But for elements that are difficult to find, they are seen as more valuable because they offer people curiosity to learn more about them. Unpredictability presents a chance to look at a problem from an alternate angle.
To illustrate how unpredictability works, let us use entertainment. Some people like comedies, while others like tearjerkers. Some people like horror films, while others like romantic movies. Some people like mystery shows, while others like reality TV. And yet there are some that are a combination of them all.
Don’t you think the best entertainments are the unpredictable ones? It keeps you at the edge of your seat wanting to know more. For example, I love watching Asian dramas because at the end of every episode is a cliffhanger.
Since everything exists in balance, on the negative side waiting another week for the next episode is torture. But on the positive side, it makes life interesting and I have something to look forward to in the coming weeks. Who doesn’t want an interesting and enjoyable life?
With unpredictability, businesses can follow change and make adjustments to surprise your audience. Who doesn’t like surprises? If you know your business well and keep up with the latest trends, you should know what has already been done so you can modify it.
The big picture may seem similar to other businesses. But the details and how you execute them are the distinguishing factors that will help your business stand out. Those details usually come from your beliefs, ideas and interpretations of this unpredictable world.
From your stories, your audience will either be captivated or repelled by your experiences. The captivated individuals will form long-lasting relationships and loyalty with your business. While those who are repelled will more likely not understand your meaning because they exist in the opposite side of it.
But why would you want to have an audience that does not have the same beliefs as you? Everyone has different beliefs. Not one belief is perfect, but how you empower your differences will set you apart.
Coming from a Thrive Hive Live souvenir, I share this meaningful quote from Lynda Berry
Expect the unexpected, and whenever possible be the unexpected.
