There are two states. The first is when the dog is on the trail. The second is when it has lost the trail. Except for the target and the participant, there is nothing else in common between the states. The perception of the situation, the range of emotions, the way of thinking, the algorithm of behavior are all different, like darkness and light.
In the first state, the key word is coherence. A reliable navigator projects a clear route on the retina. Each step makes sense, steadily approaching the desired goal. Attention is sharpened, energy is focused, and movement is optimal. Self-confidence and anticipation of victory grows.
Of course, the dog may stumble or encounter barriers along the way. But problems are quickly solved, because the navigator immediately paves an alternative route. Obstacles only further inflame the excitement of the hunter.
It’s different when the trail is gone. It’s as if the dog has been replaced. He rushes, sharply changing direction, sniffing everything — the ground, trees, air. He is full of despair and anxiety. Total disorientation. It’s not just the trail that’s lost. The main purpose of his life has disappeared.
From the outside, a dog’s behavior can look strange, even comical. Isn’t it silly to wander from side to side like that? It’s obvious he’s wasting a lot of energy, isn’t it? See how ineffective he is at this point!
But it’s a big mistake to think that way. In reality, the actions of a dog that has lost the trail are 100% effective. It’s just a different efficiency, in a different system of coordinates. Revolutionary expediency is very different from Evolutionary expediency.
In a situation of high uncertainty, the strategy of options, that is, keeping the right to play the game, is preferable. It is necessary to get the maximum favorable opportunities, opening the largest number of closed doors. And pay the minimum price for each attempt. In other words, in a situation of confusion, poking your nose neatly in all directions is sensible. Gradually, out of these “pointless” attempts a certain pattern will emerge, one of the options will definitely work.
The dog’s tossing seems nonsensical only on the outside. On the inside, the dog knows exactly when to pick up the trail again. Like a taut arrow, it’s just waiting for the signal to instantly turn its stored energy into action.
Of course, this is a metaphor. The dog is both you and me. Unfortunately, in our culture there is an overemphasis on the first state, and almost no information about the second. So we know very well how to chase our prey on the hot trail. However, we fall into a severe stupor when we suddenly lose the trail.
The reasons are varied — epidemics, economic crisis, natural disasters, personal circumstances, or war, as in my country right now. Sooner or later, each of us is bound to find ourselves at an impasse. In that case, remind yourself of that dog. Perhaps the way out will be found more quickly. After all, you are a skilled hunter. Trust your gut.
Sincerely yours,
Alexander
Kyiv, 07.04.2022
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As a business therapist, I help tech founders radically increase the value of their companies by accelerating key decisions at the intersection of business and personality.