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There are three different clocks running right now.
The first Clock is the Clock of Uncertainty, and it runs from now until the US presidential election, November 5th 2024.
The second clock is the Clock of Certainty, and it starts running once the first clock ends. We have an elected President, but they are not sworn in yet and can't exercise the power vested in their position until they are sworn in.
The third clock is the clock of power, and starts January 20, 2024 at noon when the new president is sworn in.
My question is, do you do anything differently during these three clock periods? What specifically? Because if you don't it's as if they don't exist, and you should stop stressing out.
The Clock of Uncertainty lasts the longest and involves the most speculation. Who is running? Who will win? What will it mean to me and my family, my job, the future of the economy? What will it mean for our allies and enemies? This period also gives you the most flexibility to decide what to do and to prepare because it is the longest and fewer people feel the need to act now.
If you think the election would make you want to move, then get your place ready for sale now. Update your resume and complete any certifications you are working on. If you decide not to then you have a cleaner house and a better resume. Donate to your political parties and causes of choice. Get involved where your energy will be most productive.
The Clock of Certainty really kicks off the action! What does it mean for your civil rights? Financial markets will speculate, big money flows will happen. What does it mean for US foreign policy?
Commit to any plans you made during the first clock. The future starts becoming clear, and unless you did some thinking during the first clock you are going to think time sped up and it's all happening at once.
Finally the Clock of Power is the beginning of the "New Normal" for whoever wins. It's all about adapting to the new environment, to see what the candidate does vs. what they say.
One friend pointed out there is no clock of Certainty. Both parties and Super PACs will contest the election results, sue each other, and keep running the first clock until it runs into the Clock of Power on January 20. Only once someone is sworn in the Clock of Uncertainty will finally stop.
Finally another friend pointed out there is a fourth clock, the clock of our adversaries, and it will begins once the first one ends. It's when countries will want to test the new President. What can they get away with? What will the US stand up for, and when will they act or back away? My concern here is that Iran, Russia, North Korea, China, whoever, are all going to want to figure it out at the same time. I'm not sure there is an international sequencing method where they all take turns.
I wrote this because I'm curious how people think about these different clocks, and what you might plan to do differently during each one of them.
"The United States Armed Forces completed their withdrawal from Afghanistan on 30 August 2021, marking the end of the 2001–2021 war. In February 2020, the Trump administration and the Taliban signed the United States–Taliban deal in Doha, Qatar,[7] which stipulated fighting restrictions for both the US and the Taliban, and in return for the Taliban's counter-terrorism commitments, provided for the withdrawal of all NATO forces from Afghanistan by 1 May 2021"
Trump Inked that in 2020. Biden chose to honor Trump's signed deal in 2021. It didn't go very well. As to what it means for the future? I can't venture a guess either.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020%E2%80%932021_U.S._troop_withdrawal_from_Afgha nistan
“Trump/Vance 2024”, the GOP is all in on the Trump written GOP platform/Project2025. The WOWTFN was capped off by the DNC side and Biden stepping aside. This is much needed certainty as it settled the Biden participation question.
I suspect we will see a heated but “regular” campaign from now on. Though the specter of more political violence is alway out there. You're strapping in for the ride at this point.
As Jeff stated, individuals during this is the period where they can make a difference in the outcome or their response to Election day.
Once Election day (10/5/24) comes about there is another spike in uncertainty. Short of a landslide victory the outcome will end up in court. At this point the certainty period will either be very boring or very spicy. I have my bets on this already.
Individuals will be along for the ride, as there will be no more time to prepare for the outcome of the election. The roller coaster ride has started again.
Only pre-planned moves, etc will be actionable as resources/time will be taken up by people who did not game out election outcomes. “You can’t buy TP right before a hurricane”.
Inauguration day (1/20/25) is the beginning of the Clock of Power cycle. The RNC has very clearly stated its plan of actions. The DNC much less so.
Individuals will have to adjust to the new normal environment, whatever that may be.
Post election day is when geo-political games can and will be occurring. ‘Never waste someone else's crisis' . The current administration will serve the country and world well by doing all it can to ensure as little game can be played between 10/24 and 1/25.
My approach is to control what I can control, invest in my professional growth, and remain adaptable. Elections change leadership, but long-term resilience comes from preparation, not panic. While I may personally feel aligned with the outcome, my focus remains on building stability regardless of political shifts.