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"Las cosas siempre se vuelven obvias después del hecho"

Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Nassim Nicholas Taleb
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Quote meaning
It's funny how life plays tricks on us. We often find ourselves completely puzzled about what to do, but then look back later and see clearly what we should have done. That's the core idea behind "things always become obvious after the fact." At its heart, it means that clarity often comes with hindsight. When we're in the thick of things, it can be hard to see the right path or the best decision. But once the dust has settled, everything seems so much simpler and more straightforward.

Historically, this notion has been echoed by many thinkers and leaders. It's a universal truth that spans across time and culture. Think about famous battles or historical events. Leaders made decisions in the heat of the moment, sometimes based on incomplete information. Later, analysts and historians dissect these choices and see them with crystal clarity, pointing out what was missed or what could have been done differently.

Take, for example, the story of Steve Jobs and the development of the original iPhone. When Jobs was conceptualizing the first iPhone, there were countless decisions to make: touchscreen or physical keyboard, size of the device, applications to include, and so forth. During the development process, there were significant debates and uncertainties. Many choices weren't obvious at all. But once the iPhone hit the market and revolutionized the industry, looking back, it seemed evident that those decisions were the right ones. The success made those choices look clear in retrospect.

So, how can you apply this wisdom in your own life? For starters, don't beat yourself up when decisions are tough and the path forward isn't clear. It's normal not to have all the answers in the moment. When you're faced with a challenging choice, gather as much information as you can, weigh the pros and cons, and trust your instincts. Accept that you might not see the full picture right away. It's okay. Clarity will come with time.

Imagine you're deciding whether to take a new job in a different city. You're torn between staying close to family and friends, or pursuing a new and exciting opportunity. It’s stressful, right? You weigh the options, talk to loved ones, and maybe even toss and turn at night. No matter how much you think about it, the “right” choice isn’t clear-cut. But a year down the line, when you’re thriving in your career and have built a new circle of friends, you'll likely look back and see that moving was the obvious choice. Or maybe you stayed, and now you realize how important being close to family really is to you. Either way, hindsight brings that clarity.

So, here's some friendly advice: during those moments of decision, give yourself grace. Do your best with the information you have, and trust that the picture will become clearer with time. It's easy to fall into the trap of self-doubt and anxiety when things aren’t obvious. But remember, just because something isn’t clear now doesn’t mean it won’t ever be.

Next time you find yourself struggling with a tough choice, think about this concept. Imagine you're chatting with a friend over coffee—what advice would you give them? Maybe you'd say, "Hey, it's okay not to have everything figured out right now. Do your best, and remember that things will make more sense later on." Trust that you're on the right path, even if the end isn’t perfectly visible. We all walk through foggy moments, only to look back and see the way clearly. And that’s perfectly okay.
Related tags
Awareness Clarity Hindsight Insight Perspective Reflection Retrospective Revelation Understanding Wisdom
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