Whatever Will Be, Will Be.
Why predicting the future is fun but futile in its purpose.
“It’s ok to attempt at predicting the future as it is very hard to wake up with the notion that you have no control over the future.” - Morgan Housel
It’s that time of the year when you are making a dash to make this year count and close it with a bang. There is barely a month left to hit your 2023 goals and take it off the wishlist/vision board that you had prepared in December 2022 or January 2023. In just a few days, many will get their hands on a new Moleskin journal to write down the goals for 2024 and how will they achieve them all, only after making peace with not meeting many of the goals dreamed up for 2023.
But the same thing happened in 2022, 2021, and almost every single year before that. You predicted the year to go a certain way, you planned for things, you envisaged ticking items from the bucket list, and before you realized, the year was over. You got through some items, but most got delayed, jeopardized, or became impossible to attain.
And if this keeps happening, then why even make an attempt at predicting how the next year will unfold?
I guess that we are hopeful that we will do more, and be more next year. There is something about the coming year that always makes us forgive ourselves for who we are and how we went about executing our goals. And it deludes us into thinking that we will be bolder/stronger/faster in the time to come.
But if you look at the last 11 months, you will realize that you had an intent to do more and be more this year too but something or another kept slowing you down. E.g.
you felt sick
you lost your job
mistakes were made
surprises kept coming up
unnecessary delays occurred
family matters consumed you for a certain time
some events or people added unnecessary anxiety and nuisance in your life
Let me share a few of the negative surprises that I had to deal with this year #
I booked a property in Mumbai and we were looking forward to taking possession of it a year later, but the final approvals from the government never came in. I waited and waited, but no news on the same. Finally, I asked for a refund of the booking amount last week as I can’t wait indefinitely for that particular property. My whole family was so excited about this, but it wasn’t meant to be.
We had planned a whole trip to a few cities in Turkey, made all the bookings, and even got my parents and sister’s visa ready. But my and my wife’s visas got declined, not once but twice. We were in the hundreds whose visas had been rejected in the months of August & September. So instead of Turkey, we visited Vietnam, as that was one of the countries where the visa process was smooth for Indian citizens. We had a great time, but it still isn’t Turkey, especially with the beautiful weather in October in Trabzone and Istanbul.
I decided to pursue CMT (Chartered Market Technician) and spent a lot of time studying for the same, attending classes, and going through Technical Analysis books and videos. But all my attempts to learn this subject were in vain as I couldn’t develop a passion or curiosity for the same. I was under the impression that I would enjoy it, but it would put me to sleep, especially as I started exploring more and getting in the weeds. I abandoned it eventually and went back to fundamental analysis and a few basics of technical analysis, instead of mastering it.
At the start of the year, I intended to finish writing a book, but I haven’t put pen to paper yet. I have written many blogs on my substack, but the book is a whole different beast and I still need to get a handle on it. Managing my family, job, workouts, Snooker, and my Substack takes up all of my time. Hardly any has been left for a book, but the intention still remains.
But I was prepared for things going wrong because some things always do. This year, it was the house, trip to Turkey, CMT, and my book. And next year will be something else. This doesn’t disturb me even slightly because these are not fully in my control, even if I intended them at the start of the year.
What I am proud of is the following #
I have been consistent at writing my pieces, working out, meditation, and my regular walks
I have taken time to build solid relationships at home, at work, and with my closest friends
I have been effective at getting things done and progressing in my personal and professional goals
I have read 25+ books this year
I have saved more than I spent
I have become better at investing my own money
And these make me happy and I feel I am moving in the right direction. I don’t know where I will land 10 years down the line, just like I had no clue in 2013 that I would be doing what I’m doing today. If you go back to 2003, I would even struggle to express myself freely with people, and I was insecure and meek. The current reality seems like a complete turnaround.
The last 20 years have been a phenomenal journey and the next 20 will be too.
All I have to remind myself is to keep one foot after another, to keep moving, to act even when I don’t feel like it, to push even when I’m tired, or to write something even when I’m feeling lazy or going blank.
Doris Day has a beautiful song on the same and I’ve provided the lyrics below. You can listen to it here -
When I was just a little girl
I asked my mother, what will I be
Will I be pretty? Will I be rich?
Here's what she said to me
Qué será, será
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours to see
Qué será, será
What will be, will be
When I grew up and fell in love
I asked my sweetheart what lies ahead?
Will we have rainbows day after day?
Here's what my sweetheart said
Qué será, será
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours to see
Qué será, será
What will be, will be
Now I have children of my own
They ask their mother, what will I be
Will I be handsome? Will I be rich?
I tell them tenderly
Qué será, será
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours to see
Qué será, será
What will be, will be
Qué será, será
Don’t stress about tomorrow, next year, and 10 years down the line.
Make the most of today.
Take one step and then another.
Sharpen your mind daily and get stronger daily.
Give more, love more, share more, and care more.
You will be surprised by the outcomes of tomorrow.
Wishing you all a fantastic weekend ahead 🤝
Sending you loads of love and luck too 🧿
Manish