Life is a matter of chance, according to some. Some claim that it all depends on the decisions we make. The reality? It’s neither and both.
We are at a crossroads every day, making choices based on scant knowledge. We take action, and the results follow, whether it’s picking a career path, relocating to a different place, or simply swiping right on someone. Every choice, however, is accompanied by some degree of ambiguity. Was that the right thing to do? Or did we underestimate the influence of luck?
The extent of our actual control has long been a topic of discussion among psychologists. Emotional moods, gut instincts, and cognitive biases all affect how decisions are made. Context or unconscious historical patterns may have a significant influence on what we see as a “choice.”
Conversely, the influence of luck on results is enigmatic. Even if two people make the same choice, their outcomes may differ greatly. One struggles, one triumphs. Why? Time, Situation, and Chance.
So how do we exist in a world that is neither completely under control nor completely chaotic?
We raise consciousness. We hone our decision-making skills to better navigate chance, not to eradicate it. It’s more important to comprehend the landscape than to master the path. We can learn to walk intentionally even in unforeseen situations.
Related: [Why We Bet on Uncertainty: The Psychology of Risk-Taking](/risk psychology)
Life is ultimately neither a coin flip nor a blueprint. The two are dancing together. What counts is how we react to changes in the beat and how conscious we are of the rhythm.