When my mind wanders, I often find myself in interesting environments. I value exploring new areas, confronting challenging ideas, and evolving my world-view. The consequence of this “ready-to-change” mindset is that much of what I believe in today is far different, and at times, contradictory from my previously held beliefs. As I publish many of my thoughts each and every day on this blog, I often can appear foolish in hindsight.
Will this always be the case? 20 years from now, will I have developed some set of foundational beliefs? Will I borrow from Dalio, building my own array of principles for which I swear by?
Or will I always exist in a set of limbo, wavering and hopefully improving by biases and instincts?
I think one superpower that many of history’s most successful leaders hold is the ability to change their mind. I subscribe to the idea of “strong beliefs, weakly held,” in that I tend to get excited about certain topics/arguments etc. In doing so, I build tons of conviction (for better or worse) around many of my opinions.
Yet…as I look back on the past few years of my life…I see, clearly my views have changed. Clearly I would laugh at myself a few years back, as I did things I would never think of doing today.
The ability to change and admit when wrong is very powerful. I think adapting is often looked at as a negative in society, but it shows the power and humility of a true leader.
On the other hand, I think many people lack conviction in this world. Or better put, I think many people, myself included at times, do not think much about their “foundational principles.” We seek purpose in life, yet hardly think about how and why each of our decisions is made.
I appreciate people who have strong conviction. You can see it in their eyes.
They will win. Nothing will stop them. They have will power. They are determined.
The details are not important in the moment, all that matters is the inevitable.
I wish I was surrounded by more people with tons of conviction around why they do what they do. Perhaps even operating theses that explain choices, even if fundamentally wrong or misattributed.
Assumptions guide our decisions. But what % of our assumptions are just factually wrong?
And when we learn our assumptions are wrong (type 1 error), how often do we wait to admit our mistake and move forwards?
It is this ability, this act of humility, for which I strive to be able to do.