Empty speculation.

This week we witnessed yet another leadership challenge for the Australian Prime Minister’s job and with it, the traditional media blitz of live coverage, expert commentary and panel discussions providing endless, pointless speculation.

And even though nothing much happened (and what did didn’t really alter the status quo) once again we were all transfixed by the mystery of What Will Happen Next?

Why do we speculate?

Why do we drop everything and fret endlessly over what’s more likely: A… or B? It’s not as if all this wondering shapes the outcome in any way, nor does it prepare us for whatever eventually happens. Do we somehow believe that we can’t decide What We Will Do until we know for certain What Will Happen Next?

Speculation is a massive waste of time and energy, one that’s particularly taxing on our (let’s face it) already busy, exhausted brains.

So here’s an idea: what if we dedicated some of that precious headspace to figuring out what we’ll do in response to each outcome?

Decide what you’ll do if A happens. That’ll be your Plan A.

Decide what you’ll do if B happens. Let’s call that Plan B.

And if you think there’s any chance of C happening, why not put together a little Plan C?

Because once you’ve figured out What You Will Do No Matter What you can happily ignore all the empty speculation around What Will Happen Next.

You won’t have to wonder about the outcome of the Big Game, the season finale or the political crisis because you’ll know that – ultimately –  it won’t matter.

Assuming it ever did.