The word ‘destiny’ means different things to different people. So as part of our journey towards becoming antifragile, it’s important to be clear about the meaning we are using here.
Like the word ‘destination’, the word ‘destiny’ looks to the future, to the place that we are heading towards. But over the years the meaning of this word has changed.
Originally, the Latin word destinare meant “to make firm or establish.” This gives us one meaning of the word ‘destiny’: as something that is firm, fixed, established, ‘pre-destined’. This might well be the way that you think about ‘destiny’.
But just because we set out for a destination doesn’t always mean that we will get there. We might set out for the airport but get stuck in traffic. We might book a holiday and find that an exploding volcano or a global pandemic forces us to stay home. And to reflect this deeper reality, over time the meaning of the word destinare changed. It came to mean “the action of intending to do something for a purpose.”
This is more realistic. Because what we really mean when we say that our ‘destination’ is the airport is that we are intending to go to the airport for the purpose of catching a plane. But if the traffic is heavy and we get delayed then we might have to change our plans. And if we book a trip to a holiday ‘destination’ then what we really mean is that we are intending to go the place for the purpose of relaxing or exploring — and if a global pandemic breaks out, or a volcano in Iceland erupts and grounds all flights, then our plans might have to change.
When people use the word ‘destiny’ to mean something that is fixed and inevitable they are assuming that their destiny is out of their control. This stops them trying to change it, which reduces their ability to adapt. In a time of global change, this will create problems.
But when we use the word ‘destiny’ to mean “an outcome that we are intending, for a purpose“ then we put ourselves back in control. And if we’re clear about what that purpose is, then we give ourselves the extra focus, energy, and enthusiasm we need to get things done. And if events don’t turn out in the way we expected then it’s no big deal: we simply find new ways to achieve the same purpose.
In a time of massive change, this will be invaluable.
This is the sense in which Inner Leadership uses the word ‘destiny’. Our destiny is the place we are intending to get to, the person we are intending to become, in order to achieve our own definition of our purpose in life. And when the world changes then we can change with it.
This is yet another step towards becoming antifragile: using change to become stronger and more inspired.
Have you chosen your own destiny: an outcome you are intending to create, for a purpose you think is worthwhile? Would you like to give yourself the extra focus, inspiration, and flexibility that come from doing so?
Adapted from The Churning, Inner Leadership: a framework and a set of tools for building inspiration in a time of change.
You can sign up to daily posts here.
You can buy the book here and the workbook here.
(And remember: you can’t learn to swim just by reading about swimming, you also need to do the practice.)