When we venture into a new territory we want maps and guaranteed routes. We want answers. The paradox is that in this challenging times what we need the most is a compass rather than a map! We are at an important political, societal, environmental and personal crossroad. It is impossible (always is) to predict our future.
Our craving for certainty, seeking maps that promise clear routes through the tangled wilderness of our dismantled certitudes overlook the possibilities of uncertainty.
Are we blinded by the illusion of control, neglecting the wisdom of the unknown?
The clamor for maps is intensified in our times, taking the form of overabundant information, data-driven solution, extractive behaviours.... We demand assurances amid the turbulence, yearning for the comfort of predefined paths. But perhaps, just perhaps, our fixation on maps is misguided. In times of profound upheaval, what we truly need is not a meticulously drawn guide, but rather, a humble compass.
The maps we have created, with their rigid lines and predetermined destinations, offer a false sense of security. They lure us into a trance of complacency, leading us to believe that every twist and turn has been charted, every obstacle overcome. Yet, the world is not static; it is dynamic, ever-shifting, unsayable.
I’m here to invite you (and provoke you) to look for a compass. It is "the compass of our soul”. It points us towards true north, not with the promise of a predetermined path, but with the invitation to explore, to adapt, to embrace the unknown. It does not dictate our journey; as we are so used by our usual old ways of “predicting and promising”, it offers space for us to chart our own course, to navigate the uncharted territories of change and transformation with courage and resilience.
In these challenging times, the greatest risk is not in venturing into the unknown, but in clinging desperately to the illusion of certainty, in refusing to let go of the maps that bind us.
I know, it requires a shift in mindsets, a willingness to surrender the illusion of control and embrace uncertainty. It demands humility, curiosity, and above all, faith in our own capacity to navigate the complexities of life.
It is not in the certainty of our destination, but in the journey itself, that we discover the true meaning of our lives. Reflection and self-reflection act as the compass guiding us through the labyrinth of our journeys.
My latest book, Artful Entrepreneurship, is the compass in this journey, a guide to unleashing the innate creativity within, igniting our spirit, and cultivating a profound sense of meaning in our ventures. With art practices as our guide, creativity as our compass, and collaboration as our strength, we venture deep redefining the very essence of success and forging brighter futures for ourselves and those we touch.
What if uncertainty is not a foe but a fertile ground for human expression?
Amidst the doubts and fears we face,
It's in uncertainty we discover our place.
In the shadows of questions, you dare to roam,
Embracing the unfamiliar with open heart,
For it's in the uncharted, we make our art.
In defiance of what rules us, I wrote a few new poems. You can download them here.
This is an excerpt from a poem in Artful Entrepreneurship; explore all resources and programs to support you navigate this uncertain times. Use it as your practice to reconnect with your inner compass.
If you’re interested in learning more about my services and would like to discuss any consultancy, workshops, talks, please reach out.
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Have a look at all the Artful Entrepreneurship resources: programs, courses, practices and talks to reshape your business perspective at www.artfulentrepreneurship.org for a journey into the heart of creativity. A brand new website fully dedicated to the mavericks among us.