How unpredictable is actually the unpredicted?
Datum: 2025-01-23 09:24

Sometimes things just get too busy. You have an idea or even a plan for what you need to get done before the end of the day but something unpredicted pops up and spoils everything. And it is not the first time. In fact, this happens constantly!
Hang on a minute. How unpredictable is it really if it has happened before and even happens often? Probably less than one might first assume.
For you who prefer listening to reading, this post is also available as an episode of the “Done!” podcast:
Waste of time
The problem with unforeseen events is that they mess up our planning which means things take longer to do and our job then becomes harder than it needs to be. What if we could predict them to a greater extent and either prevent them from happening at all or at least anticipate them so that we are not as surprised and affected when they occur?
Depending on something, but on what?
Everything happens for a reason — cause and effect — and every cause occurs due to some other prior event. If you manage to find the root cause to why the unforeseen thing happened and change or add something at that point or stage which will get rid of the cause, you will also not have to suffer the consequence in the future. In my second book on simplifying, I recommend people to thoroughly search for the root cause, which can sometimes be several steps back in the line of events leading up to your unforeseen and unpleasant interruption, since solving this often means dissolving the occurrence of several unexpected events following it.
A simple example
If this all sounds a bit complicated, allow me to exemplify with something simple. Just a few moments ago, as I was writing this very document, I was unexpectedly interrupted. I took a quick look at my LinkedIn-account where someone had asked an interesting question which got me thinking and suddenly, I had spent ten minutes pondering their query. I would much rather have spent these ten minutes writing. Something seemly unforeseen disturbed my flow and gave me a break I had not planned for.
Why? In order words, what was the cause of the interruption? Well, I spotted the question.
Why? I logged into LinkedIn.
Why? I had an impulse to do so.
Why? Because I happened to spot LinkedIn in the background, behind the document I was writing in.
Why? Because I had browser windows open and fully visible.
Alright, now I know this line of events, how can I prevent this from happening in the future? Well, one of several possible solutions is writing my tips on structure in full-screen mode so that I see nothing but the document. I will then be less tempted to just ”have a look” at whatever it is that is grabbing my attention and will get more wiring done in a shorter amount of time.
Said and done. And let me tell you, this simple trick definitely works for me.
Do this
The next time you are interrupted by something unpredicted which you do not want to be disturbed by in the future,
- Start by solving the problem that needs to be fixed or attended to. Avert the danger, answer the questions, do the thing, or whatever you needed to do with the unforeseen task.
- Right after you have dealt with it, ask yourself why it happened. There may be several reasons, so choose the one that seems most likely — along the lines of how Ockham would have dealt with it.
- Dig a little more and try to figure out what the causes of your original cause might be until you arrive at what you believe is the root cause of it all (the full reason or at least part of it).
- Think of something you can do that will reduce, minimize, or eliminate that root cause from occurring. If you manage to eliminate it, that would be fantastic, but just reducing it can make a big difference too.
- If you are unsuccessful in finding any root cause you yourself can do something about, which then means that the unpredicted thing really was unpredictable, think of something else you might do that can alleviate the situation and not mess up your day completely when it happens. Perhaps you could decide what task you will do if your bus home is late or if the wifi stops working?
More as you want it
If you do whatever is in your power right now to reduce the occurrence of that unforeseen thing that keeps happening, you will not have your day interrupted as often as it currently is. Your workdays will be more to your liking (and as you would want them to be) and you will get whatever tasks you do done with greater ease. In my world, every improvement contributing to this is worth the effort.
What’s your way?
How have you managed to rid yourself of some seemingly unforeseen thing that kept happening and disrupting your workday? Feel free to email me and share your thoughts.
(By the way, here’s how to tackle the unevenness of everyday life!)
Want more?
If you want more tips on how to create good structure at work, there are many ways to get that from me - in podcasts, videos, books, talks and other formats.