Expectation Rigidity, Problem Proliferation
A competitive position one can take, when dealing with uncertainty, is keeping the mind-set / head-space open and learning. To be prepared for what is coming next, even if you do not know exactly what is coming (which is often the case), entails flexibility, which equates to openness and learning. Avoid anchoring on a past reference, beware of the problems with induction and keep way from fixed models.
Exact knowledge of what will happen next is not attainable. We can prepare ourselves for what is coming next by creating multiple (pliable) expectations of our multiple paths forward, without having to fool ourselves with illusions of an exact outcome. The reason why we have problems to solve and decisions to make is that we have expectations. The more rigid the expectation, the more difficult the problems and decision-making becomes.
Orignially published January 28, 2008