"Qui vit par la boule de cristal mangera du verre brisé"

When you rely too much on predicting the future, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. Think about it: if you put all your faith in what you think will happen, you're bound to get hurt when things don't go as planned.

This idea probably came from a time when people were overly dependent on fortune-telling and predictions. Maybe during an era when society was obsessed with knowing what the future held, like the 20th century's fascination with technological advancements and stock market predictions. People tried to predict market trends, political shifts, or even personal life events, believing they could control their fate. But, as history shows, events rarely unfold exactly as expected.

Here’s a solid example of how this plays out in real life. Picture an investor who pours all their money into a single stock because an analyst with a good track record swears it’s going to skyrocket. The investor doesn’t diversify, ignoring the age-old advice not to put all your eggs in one basket. Then, suddenly, some unexpected news hits—maybe a scandal or a sudden economic downturn. The stock plummets. The investor loses everything, not because they didn’t know the market, but because they relied too heavily on a prediction.

So, what should you do with this wisdom? First, it's smart to have plans and goals, but be flexible. Life is unpredictable, and clinging too tightly to a forecast sets you up for disappointment. Diversify your efforts and investments. If you're managing a project, don’t just stick to one approach based on a prediction; have backup plans. Be prepared to pivot when things don’t go as expected. Expect the unexpected, as they say.

Now, imagine you're planning a big outdoor wedding. You've checked the weather forecast, and it says sunny skies all week. You decide not to rent a tent, confident that the forecast will hold. But on the day of the wedding, clouds roll in. It starts pouring. Guests are huddled under trees, the decorations are ruined, and the day you imagined is falling apart. If you’d rented that tent, just in case, you’d have a backup plan. You’d be prepared for the unpredictable weather.

Living by the crystal ball—relying too heavily on predictions—sets you up for those shattered glass moments. It’s about balance. Have a vision, make plans, but stay flexible and ready to adapt. This way, when the unexpected happens, you’re not left picking shards out of your hands. Instead, you’re already putting up the tent, ready to keep the party going despite the rain.

So, next time you find yourself banking on a specific outcome, take a step back. Ask yourself, "What’s my backup plan? Am I ready to adapt if things go south?" It’s not about pessimism; it’s about being realistic and prepared. Remember, life’s a mix of planning and rolling with the punches. Stay flexible, and you'll navigate those unexpected turns with a lot less shattered glass.