#104: A barrier to action

There are times when we feel or realize that we have no control over events and outcomes. Zen masters know this to be a law of nature, but when the less enlightened first realize this, they are overcome by doom and gloom.

An initial reaction is one of 'fatalism', a feeling that events are pre-destined and if it is to be, or not to be, it will be or not be. Therefore, why bother trying to change it? There are two problems with this conclusion:

• It leads to a passive, cynical and negative approach to problem solving.
• Its no fun both for the person who has this outlook and for people who have to interact with this person.
  

If you have to be fatalistic, be so only about the past.

A different approach is to accept the realization that we have no control over anything except our actions. This will result in the following benefits:

• You will learn to live in the moment.
  
• You will put in the best effort you can and not worry about the results. Because that is all you can do, that is all you must do.
• Failures and successes will cease to sway you. Because you have little control over events and outcomes, how can you take the full blame or full success for the bad and good things that happen? A nice side benefit, this may help reduce the hubris that follows success and depression that follows failure.

Leaders have to demonstrate that control is not needed to get things done and be the role model for those who seek security and emotional refuge in 'control'.