Since childhood, I’ve looked for patterns to help make decisions easier. The simplest example is never go to the mall at 2:00 p.m. because everyone else is there, or Friday afternoon in Moose Jaw is always busy.
On the negative, I allowed myself to be talked out of buying 100 shares of Bank of Montreal stock on a DRI Program in 1968. I didn’t believe in my own assumption.
The Problem with Looking for Patterns
The downfall of looking for patterns and telling others is that they usually don’t believe you. Your confidence erodes. You second guess yourself. You don’t follow through on those beliefs.
Second Guessing yourself can become Second Nature.
Not being believed by others (a prophesy) is an historic problem. The ancient Greeks knew it.
Greek Mythology has a ‘Priestess’ who was never believed. She was Cassandra, the Trojan Priestess who told ‘Apollo’ true prophesies. The creep never believed her!
In recent years, I undertook many Research Projects – some funded, some not – all undertaken to fulfill my curiosity. They include:
- Dyslexia – Family History and Genetics (Unfunded – 4 Years, Published)
- Grade Nine Student Achievement and Smoking (Unfunded – 5 years)
- Adolescent Gambling (Alberta Government, Funded)
- Literature Review – Cause of Multiple Sclerosis (Unfunded – 7 years)
- 1918 Spanish Flu in Moose Jaw – (Unfunded)
My mother never believe Dyslexia was genetic – my boss didn’t believe ‘smoking’ was a ‘lifestyle marker’; the Saskatchewan ‘MS Community’ will not talk to me and people reacted to the 1918 Spanish Flu much like they did to COVID. Oh well, Carry On!
Decision Making
Day to day life requires decision-making. It’s best to consider the angles, how to deal with them and go with your impression. You won’t always be right, but you won’t always be wrong.
Special Note
‘Gut Feelings’ and Patterns do NOT apply to Gambling. My Gambling Project proved the House wins at least 95% of the time.
Would you try running across Calgary’s Deerfoot Trail at rush-hour on a $50 bet if there was a 95% chance you’d be killed? Of course not. Take your money and buy lunch for a friend.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
