Risk, Resilience and Preparedness in a Chaotic World

“The global order is under revision”, likely the most understated quote from a series of interviews surrounding the inauguration of the latest US President. The events of the past 48 hours and the weeks to come will to the best of every pundit’s ability, be tied to the new leader of the free world, whether you’re a supporter or detractor. 

The reality is that, as I’ve written before, this decade is the expected global re-organization. A phenomenon that has occurred every 70-80 years since the age of sail in the 1400s. Clearly delineated by Ray Dalio in the seminal work, Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order, these events were going to occur in this period irrespective of who was at the helm. The direction and actors may shuffle with a different conductor, but not the process. In simple terms, as a generation perishes and their memory on why the world exists “as is” expires, nations jockey for position, influence and roles on the globe. 

All of this is outside our influence, as individuals we are entitled to our views, opinions and beliefs, but those are inconsequential to the global order. Many will choose to “lose it” with an election result, or be “befuddled and unglued” with a politician’s policy initiatives, but again, in the grand scheme, this is and always will be beyond our personal control. Yet many will create stress, amplify anxiety and burden themselves and their families with undo harm as they perceive great peril and injustice.

Preparedness is intent, your choice to decide that you wish to do what you can against what you cannot control. I cannot chose the next US President, but as a resident of Canada that decision is impactful in my life. My responsibility is then not to become a keyboard warrior on the evils of one ideology versus another, but to understand how that decision by the US electorate may affect how I have chosen to live my life. This is accomplished through examining what scholars refer to as the spheres of influence or panes of life: political, economic, cultural, ideological, natural and familial. How will this event potentially impact my personal roadmap in life? A series of questions related to the likely - not hyped or ideologically driven paranoia, but what policy decisions by this politician will impact my life. The key is not the ones you disagree with, the bellicose statements, but the actual policy itself. Who cares what a politician says, what they do is what matters.