The off-road race and Murphy’s law

Today’s topic is about one of the simplest — yet most powerful — Entrepreneur mindsets in entrepreneurship and in life: expect the unexpected.

I was recently reminded of this during an off-road racing event — PVOLVOC 2025 in Hanoi. The event turned out to be a perfect example of how entrepreneurs must learn to deal with uncertainty.

For those who don’t know, this idea is rooted in Murphy’s Law:

“Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.”

As entrepreneurs, we plan, execute, and calculate risks to reach our goals. Yet no matter how much we prepare, things will still go wrong sometimes. That’s when adaptability becomes one of the most important leadership skills — the ability to pivot quickly and adjust your mindset when life throws a curveball.

During the event, it had been raining for seven straight days. The entire track turned into deep mud. It wasn’t part of anyone’s plan — not the organizers, not the racers. But instead of canceling, the organizers pivoted: they reorganized the layout, adjusted the schedule, and kept the spirit alive.

And the racers? They had to step up — driving through mud, sliding through corners, learning to control what they could while embracing the chaos.

I had the chance to drive too — just cruising through the mud, feeling the car slip and wondering if it would hold up. It was messy, unpredictable, and incredibly fun.

That experience reminded me of what it takes to grow as an entrepreneur:

Next time you face an unforeseen event, try this quick mindset shift:

Take a deep breath.

Ask yourself: Can I change the situation? If yes — act fast and adjust. If no — focus on minimizing the impact and finding a better path forward.

Reflect and learn. Ask your AI companion (or your own inner voice) what could go wrong next time — and plan the prevention tactics in advance.

Because life — just like off-road racing — is all about how well you can drive through the mud.