Affordances and Obstacles: How to navigate through turbulent times

Someone asked me the other day how as a small business owner (aka: I only eat what I kill) and father of 3, I'm able to stay calm in spite of the Corona-tine.

(Corona + Quarantine, get it?)

Whatever your thoughts are about the "Novel Coronavirus," the cultural/societal response has had a serious impact on small business owners, with thousands of brick-and-mortar stores being forced to close their doors (and thousands more pulling out massive loans to cover the shortfall, which they, unfortunately, might not be able to afford unless the debt is "forgiven" because even "low" usurious interest has a nasty habit of destroying what it touches…but that's a topic for another time).

So I think the real question is:

How can you and I stay calm, cool, and collected....or as Kipling wrote: "keep your head when all about you are losing theirs" during these turbulent times?

Here's what I believe:

Everything you encounter in life is either an affordance or an obstacle.

An affordance is anything that helps you along your way; that moves you in the direction of your aim; that affords you an opportunity to make progress toward your goals.

  • A shovel is an affordance; it allows you to dig holes so you can plant in the spring…
  • Fresh water is an affordance; it sustains life…
  • Family and friends can be an affordance; they can keep you company and support you during difficult times…

These are affordances.

An obstacle, conversely, is anything that blocks your path. That gets in the way of your goals. That keeps you confused, frozen, or distracted.

Some affordances are obvious (the aforementioned shovel, water, and family)...

Some obstacles are obvious (anything that restricts access to, or removes, the aforementioned shovel, water, and family)...

Not all affordances and not all obstacles are created equal.

No line at Chipotle = affordance.

Getting featured on a massive SiriusXM radio station and blowing the lid off a brand new product launch = a much bigger, much more significant affordance.

The store down the street "runs out" of toilet paper = obstacle.

Experiencing a reality where you're one handshake-from-a-stranger away from death = a much, MUCH bigger obstacle.

So logically, it makes sense that you would want more affordances (ideally the really good ones) and fewer obstacles in your life (especially the really bad ones).

If you're following my line of reasoning thus far, then it follows that the most significant affordance is that which affords you MORE affordances.

(meta, I know)

For example, the electricity that feeds your devices and machines might be considered a "greater affordance" if those things are then used in the pursuit of your goals (with your aim set squarely on your goal).

Or your BELIEF that you can (and will) achieve your goals, no matter what obstacles pop up. This deep-rooted belief itself can be an affordance that creates more affordances (one that opens invisible doors as you take consistent, daily action).

And it also follows that the greatest obstacle is that which creates more obstacles; like a Black Swan event that closes the door to your business (and cuts you off from your network)...or the belief that you're a product of circumstance, that you got the short end of the stick, and that there's nothing you can do about it (aka: victim mentality).

Here's where I'm going with this:

Not only are "things" and "beliefs" obstacles or affordances...

Information can be either an affordance or an obstacle.

Knowing what's around the corner can save you time, money, and energy.

However, that's only if the information is correct, relevant, and pertinent.

If the information is incorrect, not relevant, or impertinent, "knowing" said information could actually COST YOU time, money, and energy.

(and if the information is malicious, well, then it could cost you everything, and the phrase "ignorance is bliss" becomes even more true)

In the physical world - the certifiable real world that's right in front of you (the one at your fingertips, that you can touch and manipulate) - most of us can figure out what is an affordance or an obstacle from a simple glance (and maybe a step or two around the object and a swivel of the head).

You see the traffic jam and you get it. Obstacle.

You see the strawberries growing and the clear water from the spring flowing and you get it. Affordance.

But when you're "online" looking at "the world" through the black mirror in your pocket, discerning between affordance and obstacle becomes a lot more complicated.

That's because information presented through a screen can be framed, molded, and manipulated to be given the appearance of value, when in fact, it's an illusion; just ask anyone who bought a ticket to The Fyre Festival, or cheered on Theranos, or thought Bernie Madoff was really onto something with his unorthodox accounting methods.

Not all information is equal.

So don't treat it like it is.

Be discerning about what you let in. Shut off any inputs that distract you from your aim. Fearlessly exclude anything that does not help you toward your goals.

That includes the fearbate.

It's true, people will stop asking you out for drinks...but then all the bars are closed now anyway, aren't they?

Get to work, my friend, and continue to fight the good fight.

And, of course, stay frosty.

References:

- James Gibson's "The Ecological Approach to Visual Perception."
- John Carpenter's "Big Trouble in Little China"
- "The Fear Economy"

Started, finished, and shipped from 7,000 feet elevation with my feet planted firmly on the ground | Writing time: 4.5 hrs | Soundtrack: silence (still trending)

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