The Strategy

(A Notes to Self Series)

Quote for Saturday, 20 April 2019

“Optimism is a strategy for making a better future. Because unless you believe that the future can be better, you are unlikely to step up and take responsibility for making it so.”
― Noam Chomsky

Why do we plan? Why do companies come up with strategies? Before the last decade ended, my numerous years of people management of organisations that ranged from 300 up to 1000 employees and involvement in collaborative work that affect tens of thousands more exposed me to all the works. We plan because we know that we have weaknesses that we need to compensate for, strengths that we could capitalise on and utilise, and threats that we need to anticipate and build our contingency measures for. More importantly, we see windows of opportunities to make things better if not the best.

Pessimism is good if within a certain degree and if it will encourage us to be wary and plan for the possible odds and pitfalls. Without optimism, though, all the time, effort, other resources, and all other things we put into our planning would merely be futile. Have you ever heard of a plan that’s not meant for a better end? I don’t think any plan would be like that. If ever there would be one, I think it would only appear to be initially so, but it would eventually be geared to a perceived better end.

What do you think? Do you agree with our featured quote? Could our circumstances really change for the better through optimism? Could we really have the authentic chance to make things better for ourselves, our loved ones, or those who need such most by having the right mindset? How? What do you recommend? What worked for you?

I’m looking forward to knowing your thoughts.