The most important certainty available in any uncertain situation is not about outcomes — it’s about how you want to be. “I am certain I want connection with you right now. I am certain that this is how I want to be in this moment.” This is what propels people through uncertain times and creates better futures.
Joe points to leaders like Churchill, MLK, and Gandhi — what congealed movements wasn’t predicting outcomes but declaring “this is how I want to be in this situation.” During COVID, Joe focused on closeness with family and creativity. That orientation produced AOA’s online courses, their podcast, and deep family intimacy — none of which would have happened without the disruption.
“Your reference point has to be how do you want to be in this moment? How do you want to be in this time of change?”
This echoes Joe’s teaching on purpose: purpose isn’t in the what but in the how. The same principle applies to navigating crisis. External reference points (markets, politics, outcomes) make you reactive. Internal reference points (how you want to be) make you generative.
Related Concepts
- Optimism and pessimism both avoid reality
- Purpose is in the how, not the what
- Purpose is lived in the present moment