the fatalist’s dilemma

I don’t know what inspired this idea. Perhaps it’s from reading this Chinese proverb: Before you decide to play a game, 1) know the rules, 2) know the stakes, 3) know the quitting time.

Here are the rules: I’m going to study hard for the GMATs, work diligently on my applications and apply to 5 different Business schools before January 1 of next year.
Here are the stakes: If I am lucky enough to get accepted to one or more of these schools, then I’ll matriculate in fall of 2007. However, if I don’t get into any of these schools, then that means it just wasn’t meant to be. I’ll then move to Las Vegas on August 15th, 2007 to become a professional gambler. No regrets and no turning back.

I haven’t decided whether to play this game or not, but it’s quite appealing in certain respects. If anything, it’s a good motivational tool to really work hard to achieve a goal. Despite all the drama, it’s not all that different from other situations that ordinary people face at their work or at home. “To play or not to play”–is not really a question, but a rehash of things already said and done.

And for the record, I believe in ‘fate’ more than I do in ‘choice’.