Tuesday, April 28, 2025
Lately, I’ve been thinking about how much of life, and work, involves making decisions before we have all the information we want.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of waiting for perfect clarity, especially when the stakes feel high. But in reality, the best decisions often aren’t made because we have all the facts; they’re made because we have enough to move forward thoughtfully.
In the real estate and financial world (and honestly, in nearly every part of life right now), uncertainty seems to be the rule rather than the exception. Markets are shifting. Regulations are evolving. Technology is changing how we work faster than we can sometimes process. And at the same time, leaders still have to make choices — about investments, about people, about priorities — without a crystal ball.
One thing I’ve learned is that gathering information is key; but so is knowing when you have enough to act.
Perfection isn’t the goal. Progress is.
When faced with uncertainty, I’ve found a few guiding ideas helpful:
- Focus on principles, not predictions. You might not know exactly what’s coming, but you can stay rooted in your core values and goals.
- Create flexible plans. The best strategies leave room to pivot when new information comes in.
- Invest in staying informed. In times of rapid change, continuing to learn — through trusted resources, events, and conversations — isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.
- Trust your pattern recognition. Experience builds instincts. If something feels familiar, there’s probably a reason.
- Move forward with humility. Make the best decision you can today, and stay open to adjusting tomorrow if needed.
The truth is, we are rarely making a final decision. We’re making the next right decision… one step closer to where we want to go.
Momentum builds when we stay close to the conversations and insights that move us forward. Every small step matters.
I’m rooting for you.
Until Next Time,
Mary Schuster
Chief Knowledge Officer
October Research, LLC