How do we set long-term goals and have a Big Vision in times of uncertainty? In reality, life is always uncertain, but right now, it feels like a time of deep uncertainty and chaos—even more than in 2020.

To be honest, I’m writing this for myself more than for you. The new administration’s brutal actions plus the increasingly severe climate crisis has left me disoriented and unable to figure out which direction to steer into. But life, especially in midlife, moves fast. We can’t wait till “someday” when we think things will be easier, clearer, safer, or better to set our course.

Below are my best guesses for how to set goals and create a Big Vision during times of extreme chaos and uncertainty. I say, “guess” because these are unprecedented times.

Create a goal or Big Vision that energizes you

Even during peaceful times, you need to be excited about your Big Vision. They take a lot of work. In chaotic times like these, having a Big Vision that lights you up can illuminate your way forward.

Understand what you can control; accept what you can’t

Awhile back, I took a class, Positive Psychology: Resilience Skills. One of the tools I took from it was to ask these three questions during challenging times:

• What aspects of this situation can I control?
• What can’t I control and need to accept?
• What actions can I take to make the situation better?

If fear about the present is paralyzing you, these three questions can help you let go of what you can’t control, and focus more on what you can control and take action on.

Create learning goals

When you tell your brain you’re going to learn, rather than fix, it sees more possibilities. During times of uncertainty, we’re going to need to be able to see even more possibilities when the old way of doing things is no longer an option. You can read more about learning goals in past posts:

• Tips for Your New Year’s Goal Planning
• Create Goals to Learn, Not to Fix

Plan for disruption

Planning for disruption and chaos is an oxymoron, but it doesn’t mean it’s not true. Structures are crumbling. Rules are being broken. Seasons are reversing. Morals are disintegrating. The road ahead is going to be rocky. Create your Big Vision, make a learning plan, map out a timeline, and also be ready for all of that to be upended. Don’t let big obstacles stop you, which leads to the next idea . . .

Know when to mitigate and when to adapt

Climate crisis strategies fall into two broad categories: mitigation and adaptation. Mitigation strategies work to reduce, or stop the negative effects of climate change (e.g. energy conservation). Adaptation strategies work to make it easier to live with the effects of climate change (e.g. building seawalls). As you face disruptive challenges to your Big Vision, ask yourself:

• What part of this challenge can I mitigate?
• What part of this challenge can I adapt to?

Nurture support systems

When you read stories about the fires in LA, what stands out, at least to me, is how people worked together to survive: neighbors, community-based organizations, and firefighters from near and far.

Support means different things to different people. For some, it’s a big network, for others, it’s a close friend. Whatever it means to you, tend to your support system.

No one person can make a Big Vision real. No one person can stop climate change. No one person can take the United States out of the shadows. Be with your people. Lean on each other. Support your Big Visions for a better world.

Photo by Daniele Levis Pelusi on Unsplash