Predictability? Randomness? What is the Right Balance for You?

When it comes to a career path or a job prospect - it is wise to consider the balance of predictability and randomness you are signing up for.

I wouldn’t call myself a “gamer” - but I have been playing video games off and on since I was a kid. Why do I mention games? Well, there is a lot to learn from how the best games are designed. And one of the core tools underlying game design is the dynamic of randomness.

Think of the best games you play. They likely include some sort of randomness. Most board games use dice to create randomness. Playing cards incorporate the randomness of the draw from the deck. Most video games incorporate some element of randomness in the worlds they create, the enemies you face or in some other core pillar of the game.

The right balance of randomness and predictability can create a dynamic that is fresh, interesting and also feels worth engaging with. Too much randomness and it doesn’t feel worth playing because nothing you do will matter. Too little randomness and things get stale fast - you’ve solved the puzzle and there isn’t much left to keep you engaging.

I’ve found this balance present in many other aspects of life as well. Two of my favorite pastimes incorporate a magical blend of randomness and predictability. Gardening for example is a discipline you can spend your whole life mastering, and still, you can’t control the rain or the sun. And surfing is a pursuit where you can see your effort translate to improvement over time. But some days the waves just don’t come to you. And some days the perfect one comes right to you.

And this dynamic plays out in our careers as well. I have clients and friends in the startup world that are frustrated by the randomness associated with building something from the ground up. Every day is different and you can’t really predict what’s going to happen. Depending on your personality, that can be a maddening or liberating way to spend your time.

On the other hand - I have clients and friends who work at giant companies. There is almost no randomness. They know exactly what they can expect day in and day out.  It is relatively stable and predictable. And it can get stale fast. But for some that trade is worth it.

So what kinds of games do you like to play? Ones with very predictable outcomes? Or ones where randomness reigns?  How is that reflected in your career choices?