{"id":190,"date":"2025-04-01T17:40:14","date_gmt":"2025-04-01T09:40:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/saltnpepper.sg\/blog\/?p=190"},"modified":"2025-04-04T15:05:10","modified_gmt":"2025-04-04T07:05:10","slug":"betting-on-yourself-embracing-uncertainty-and-the-real-roi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/saltnpepper.sg\/blog\/2025\/04\/01\/betting-on-yourself-embracing-uncertainty-and-the-real-roi\/","title":{"rendered":"Betting on Yourself: Embracing Uncertainty and the Real ROI"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Dealing with uncertainty | Caspar Berry | TEDxAcademy\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/kKy26jP7jUc?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">When we talk about <strong>ROI (return on investment)<\/strong>, especially in the context of our life choices, we often hesitate.<br>Why? Because the outcomes feel unpredictable, the paths are rather confusing, and let\u2019s be honest, we\u2019re not always sure what the \u201cright\u201d decision even looks like.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>But what if uncertainty is actually a good thing?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That\u2019s the belief of Caspar Berry, a motivational speaker and former professional poker player. Caspar has worn many hats, he is an actor, screenwriter, sports commentator, entrepreneur &#8211; and now speaks about risk, innovation, and decision-making. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He challenges us to think differently about the choices we make, especially when we don\u2019t have all the answers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u201cOne of the biggest failures in life is to never take a risk.\u201d \u2013 Caspar Berry<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We take risks every single day, be it booking a flight, buying a car, or even just stepping out our front door. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And yes, these actions come with the possibility of failure. But without risk-takers, we wouldn&#8217;t have electricity, the internet, or even international travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Think about Abraham Lincoln, Steve Jobs! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What separates them isn\u2019t perfection. It\u2019s their willingness to fail repeatedly, to face crises of confidence, and to keep going despite uncertainty. These great individuals were humble, open-minded, and constantly sought new data and perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4910\" height=\"3205\" src=\"https:\/\/saltnpepper.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/pexels-pixabay-37072.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-193\" style=\"width:690px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Abraham Lincoln &#8211; the 16th President of the United States, and one of the most respected figures in American history<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>They didn\u2019t fight uncertainty &#8211; they embraced it.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Reframing Failure: The Babe Ruth Lesson <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We\u2019re trained from young to look for the \u201cright\u201d answer or, to make the perfect decision. But in the poker world, failure is not only expected, it\u2019s part of the strategy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Caspar shares a brilliant analogy: Babe Ruth, one of America\u2019s most iconic baseball players, holds the all-time record for both most home runs and most strikeouts. By two completely different metrics, Ruth was both the best and the worst player of all time. <strong>That\u2019s risk Baby. That\u2019s ROI, you can\u2019t have the wins without the whiffs. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1125\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/saltnpepper.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/softball-batter-girl-batting-163304.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-192\" style=\"width:690px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>My Personal Leap into the Unknown<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Taking a risk isn\u2019t just something I write about &#8211; it\u2019s something I\u2019ve lived. As a 43-year-old Singaporean Chinese who didn\u2019t speak a word of French, I chose to uproot my life and pursue a Master\u2019s Degree in Toulouse, France. That decision was terrifying, exhilarating, and completely uncertain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From struggling to find housing, surviving power outages, battling cultural and language barriers, to crying myself to sleep on a soiled, broken sofa bed, I\u2019ve lived through the raw, unfiltered chaos of stepping into the unknown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u2728And yet, I wouldn\u2019t trade that experience for anything.\u2728<br><\/strong>Because in that mess, I found my true grit. It forced me to confront parts of myself I had never met before- my capacity for adaptation, my quiet strength in solitude, my ability to speak up even when my voice trembled in a foreign tongue.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So if you\u2019re standing at a crossroads, unsure if you\u2019re \u201ctoo old,\u201d \u201ctoo late,\u201d or just plain scared &#8211; know this: <strong>the most meaningful paths are rarely the most comfortable ones.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2728 I share the full story in my Kindle book, <em>from Chicken Rice to Croissants: A Singaporean\u2019s Survival in France <\/em>&#8211; a no-fluff, honest look at what it\u2019s really like to chase growth far outside your comfort zone.<a href=\"https:\/\/a.co\/d\/eBKU69H\"><br><\/a><strong>\ud83d\udcda Available now on Amazon! Just search the title on the Kindle Store or the Amazon website\/app to find and purchase it. \ud83d\ude42<\/strong> Or <a href=\"https:\/\/a.co\/d\/dbE9AkB\">Simply click here!<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"2560\" src=\"https:\/\/saltnpepper.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GGKEY_EX9R802PY92_frontcover.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-200\" style=\"width:450px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Every Day Is a Decisions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Caspar says the first decision we make every day is whether or not to press the snooze button. Every choice we make, from our outfit to our commute, moves us a step closer to our goals\u2026 or a step further. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><mark><strong>&#8220;Are the decisions you are making today the best ones to get you where you want to be?&#8221;<\/strong><\/mark><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That\u2019s the million-dollar question. We make choices on our own, with friends, family, even at work &#8211; but <strong>it\u2019s usually fear of the unknown that stops us, even when we really want to make a move.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What\u2019s Your Risk Appetite?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every person has a different risk tolerance. <strong>Some of us dive in. Some tiptoe. Some freeze.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In today\u2019s world &#8211; with earthquakes, wars, economic shifts, it\u2019s no wonder we crave control and certainty. <strong>But the truth is, the world is unpredictable. We can\u2019t change that.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What we can change is how we respond.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead of fighting uncertainty, Caspar says we should lean into it and use it to handle change better. We can&#8217;t always predict what&#8217;s coming, but we can adjust, learn, evolve and grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ikigai \u2013 Purpose in the Chaos<\/strong><br>This mindset ties beautifully into the Japanese concept of Ikigai, or \u201creason for being.\u201d It\u2019s made up of four elements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83d\udc96 What you love (Passion) <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83d\udcbc What you can be paid for (Profession) <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83c\udf0d What the world needs (Mission) <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83d\udee0 What you are good at (Vocation)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finding your Ikigai is a journey filled with trial and error. And yes, with a lot of uncertainties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pivoting Toward Purpose<br><\/strong>In the pursuit of Ikigai, you\u2019ll need to take risks, face setbacks, and make pivots. You\u2019ll need to be okay with not knowing everything, and instead trust the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Caspar reminds us of the <strong>Butterfly Effect<\/strong> &#8211; how small events can cause massive changes. A job rejection, a chance meeting\/event, even a weird gut feeling\u2026 all these tiny moments can steer your life in a new direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And that\u2019s beautiful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/saltnpepper.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/pexels-photo-263559.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-191\" style=\"width:690px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Mindset Shift: Stay Humble, Keep Growing<br><\/strong>Studies show that being too sure of ourselves often leads to bad calls. But when we admit we don\u2019t have all the answers, we usually make better choices.<br>When it comes to finding our Ikigai, it helps to stay curious, keep an open mind, and be willing to learn along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ikigai: Your Anchor in a Chaotic World<br><\/strong>Caspar points out that society builds systems &#8211; like laws, healthcare, and capitalism, to make sense of the chaos around us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the same way, Ikigai acts as a personal compass. It\u2019s not about finding one perfect path, but about discovering purpose and direction &#8211; even when life feels unpredictable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Like a skilled poker player, you work with the hand you\u2019re dealt, stay in the game, and adjust your moves as new cards come your way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Final Thoughts (and a Freebie!)<br><\/strong>I hope this article gave you a fresh perspective on decision-making, uncertainty, and the pursuit of purpose. If you\u2019re ready to start mapping out your own Ikigai, I\u2019ve got a a&nbsp;<strong>free&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/saltnpepper.sg\/resources\/Purpose%20Framework%20Worksheet.pdf\">Purpose Framework worksheet<\/a>&nbsp;just for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Work on it solo or, if you&#8217;re feeling a little stuck and want someone to talk it out with, book a&nbsp;<strong>KoPlay Discovery Play Session<\/strong>&nbsp;with me at&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:david@saltnpepper.sg\">david@saltnpepper.sg<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When we talk about ROI (return on investment), especially in the context of our life choices, we often hesitate.Why? Because the outcomes feel unpredictable, the paths are rather confusing, and let\u2019s be honest, we\u2019re not always sure what the \u201cright\u201d decision even looks like. But<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[216,209,213,211,203,210,199,204,105,124,70,90,17,145,202,212,217,205,208,215,206,44,207,19,87,214,200,201,85,198],"class_list":["post-190","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ikigai","tag-adaptive-thinking","tag-babe-ruth","tag-butterfly-effect","tag-career-clarity","tag-caspar-berry","tag-chaos-to-clarity","tag-decision-making","tag-embracing-uncertainty","tag-finding-purpose","tag-future-planning","tag-goal-setting","tag-growth-mindset","tag-ikigai","tag-koplay-method","tag-life-choices","tag-life-direction","tag-meaning-in-life","tag-mindset-shift","tag-motivation","tag-overcoming-fear","tag-personal-development","tag-personal-growth","tag-poker-strategy","tag-purpose","tag-resilience","tag-risk-appetite","tag-risk-taking","tag-roi","tag-self-discovery","tag-uncertainty"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/saltnpepper.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/190","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/saltnpepper.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/saltnpepper.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saltnpepper.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saltnpepper.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=190"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/saltnpepper.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/190\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":210,"href":"https:\/\/saltnpepper.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/190\/revisions\/210"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/saltnpepper.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=190"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saltnpepper.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=190"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saltnpepper.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=190"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}