Sitting on the Fence
Harnessing the Power of Perspective for Life’s Tough Decisions
Are You Stuck on the Fence?
Have you ever struggled to make a decision because past negative experiences and emotions clouded your judgment? Do you often find yourself hesitant, trapped between choices, unable to move forward?
This so-called “fence” is a mental state where we remain stuck—unable to move left, right, or in any direction. The longer we sit on this fence, the more frustrating it becomes, as it halts progress and fosters indecision.
Think back—when was the last time you avoided making a decision because of fear, self-doubt, or past failures?
Understanding the Fence Within
A physical fence is defined as a barrier that separates two areas of land. Similarly, an internal fence exists within our minds, acting as a barrier constructed from our emotions, fears, past experiences, and biases. This fence often prevents us from making decisions.
Even though we are perched above and have a 360-degree view of a situation, we remain stuck, clouded in our judgement. Why? Because we often fixate on just one degree—our personal perspective.
Imagine yourself as the lighthouse operator, but instead of scanning the entire ocean, your light is stuck shining on one small spot. That narrow focus:
Fails to see the bigger picture.
Misses incoming ships (opportunities) because the field of view is too narrow.
Focus of the light shifts randomly due to the internal distractions but never illuminates everything at once reducing clarity in decision making.
However, when we widen the perspective—removing blinders of fear and bias-the options are clear as water looking revealing depths of the ocean. Adopting such a mindset naturally leads to unbiased decision; allowing us to step off the fence with confidence as our choices align with our inner consciousness.
By making clear, unbiased decisions, you can move forward with confidence. New fences will inevitably appear, but the key lies in developing a habit: climb onto the fence, reassess the situation, and step off with clarity by maintaining a wide field of view. This practice, known as the "vision of perspective," transforms fences into checkpoints—opportunities to realign with your inner consciousness.
It can be that simple—but why does it feel so difficult?
How to Get off the Fence: A Simple Framework
The difficulty arises because we’ve developed perspectives that are not entirely neutral or unbiased. To minimise this bias, we must set aside our sensory perceptions and preconditioned minds (as outlined in a previous article).
To further develop a 360-degree "vision of perspective," focus on two key actions:
List all the known facts
List all the unknown facts
Writing down both the known and unknown from an unbiased perspective helps you gain deeper insight into your options. In 2002, Donald Rumsfeld introduced the concept of the "knowns and unknowns’ matrix" to aid decision-making:
“There are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say, we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns—the ones we don’t know we don’t know.” - Donald Rumsfeld.
This matrix highlights an important truth:
We can only act on what we know,
There will always be unknowns,
The only way to reduce uncertainty is make a decision.
Ironically, sitting on the fence guarantees failure, as the probability of unknown unknowns impacting us remains 100% when we refuse to decide. While any decision carries the risk of not achieving the desired outcome, this should never deter us from taking action. Inaction only ensures missed opportunities, while action, even if imperfect, opens the door to growth and progress.
Development of an Unbiased Perspective - Bigger Picture Thinking
Have you ever wondered why the Egyptians built such great, enormous cities in the middle of dry, desolate deserts? At first glance, it might seem illogical—but their leaders weren’t working against nature; they were working with it.
Applying the Rumsfeld Matrix, their decision-making process reveals their brilliance:
Knowns (What they understood):
Location of the cities were strategically placed to maximise survival and prosperity.
The Nile River served as a lifeline, providing water for fertile land and transportation across the kingdom.
The locations offered natural protection against invasions, ensuring long-term stability.
Unknowns (What they couldn’t predict):
Long-term climate change – They didn’t know how the desert would expand or if the Nile’s flow would change over centuries.
Unpredictable invasions – they built defenses but couldn’t foresee exactly when or where invaders would strike.
Resource depletion – Over time, fertile land, timber, and minerals could become scarce, but they had no way of predicting when or how.
Extreme weather events – Droughts, sandstorms, or unexpected shifts in climate could devastate crops and settlements.
Internal uprisings – Revolts from workers, nobles, or rival factions within the kingdom were always a possibility.
Despite these uncertainties, the Egyptians planned, adapted, and thrived for thousands of years. Their success stemmed from their ability to balance known factors—such as the life-sustaining benefits of the Nile—with proactive strategies to manage the unknown. This approach not only secured their survival but also fostered one of the most remarkable civilisations in history.
One key takeaway from their approach is the importance of accepting and working within the limits of what is knowable. When we attempt to predict the future too far ahead, we risk becoming paralysed by the sheer number of variables and possibilities. This overwhelming uncertainty often leads to inaction, as fear of making the wrong choice overshadows the potential benefits of taking any action at all.
The Egyptians remind us that progress requires us to act, even in the face of uncertainty. This principle holds immense value in modern decision-making. Instead of overanalyzing every possible outcome or waiting for perfect clarity, we can achieve more by identifying the knowns, preparing for the unknowns, and taking decisive steps forward. In this way, we avoid the stagnation of indecision and position ourselves to adapt and thrive.
To ensure the decision-making process is effective, the list of knowns and unknown facts should be:
Be Specific – Avoid vague or irrelevant details.
Stay Factual – Focus on objective truths rather than personal perceptions.
Think Holistically – Consider all possible long-term impacts of your decision.
By outlining key facts without bias, you create a clear, actionable roadmap for moving forward.
MinDvesting Philosophy
Life is full of fences, but each fence is an opportunity to realign with your inner consciousness and grow. By expanding your perspective and making unbiased decisions, you can navigate life’s challenges with clarity and confidence.
Take the first step today—write down your known and unknown facts, step off the fence, and embrace the journey toward a fulfilling life. Life becomes simpler when the "vision of perspective" is truly open-ended. Once you release yourself from the internal fence, you gain the power to move forward.
Great article! Thanks for sharing with me. I enjoyed the example of the Egyptians, very interesting!