Pendulum Theory

I have had a theory for many years that a) many of life’s most complex questions do not have an exact answer b) even if you answered them correctly for today, the answer would change tomorrow.

Questions like:

• How centralized should the decisions in a company be?
• How strict should your parenting style be?
• How much planning is enough before you just take action?
• How much control should leadership maintain in an organization?

However, there are many, many of them.

My theory is that the right answer is less like a specific answer and more a directional answer.  

I equate it to a pendulum.  You can feel that the pendulum has swung too far to one direction.  However, it is highly likely that when you drag it back in the opposite direction, you will overcorrect. 

It is probably a good idea to simply accept the nature of these types of problems is to be in a constant state of monitoring and correcting.  So, you might ask these types of questions of your problem: 

• What if there is no clear right answer?  
• What if there is one, but we will not find it?  
• What if we could find it, but we couldn’t hold on to it indefinitely?

If it is a pendulum problem, treat it as such.  You will feel a much greater satisfaction.

I didn’t know until recently that this theory has a name “slot rattling”.  George Kelly coined the term.

What is the problem in your life that could benefit from the understanding of slot rattling?  Treat it like a pendulum and you will be much more likely to feel good about it.

Just my opinion.  What do you think?  Let me know in the comments.

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